The Right Way To Answer This Interview Question?

[dulop]

---

Members don't see this ad.

A common interview question is, "what is the biggest problem with US healthcare today?". When answering this question, which could take many forms, i.e. access, physician distribution, etc., is it a bad strategy to support the opinion of switching to a single-payer system or a system of national health care coverage (socialized medicine?)...? I'm wondering b/c how does this affect physicians salaries and how will it resonate with the average interviewer who is him/herself a medical practioner? The last thing I'd want to do, no matter what I believed, was give an answer completely antithetical to the average physicians opinion. Thoughts and comments?

 

[ahumdinger]

A common interview question is, "what is the biggest problem with US healthcare today?". When answering this question, which could take many forms, i.e. access, physician distribution, etc., is it a bad strategy to support the opinion of switching to a single-payer system or a system of national health care coverage (socialized medicine?)...? I'm wondering b/c how does this affect physicians salaries and how will it resonate with the average interviewer who is him/herself a medical practioner? The last thing I'd want to do, no matter what I believed, was give an answer completely antithetical to the average physicians opinion. Thoughts and comments?

There's really no right or wrong answer. I mean, if you really had the solution to the biggest healthcare problem today, I'd recommend you go into politics and actually make some changes. What the interviewer is really looking for is that you've given the issue some thought and you recognize some problems and have considered possible solutions. Whatever you say, back up your response and stick with your reasoning. Don't waver and sit on the fence.

Now of course, you may get some physician who's really opinionated and pigheaded who has a "right answer" in mind. This shouldn't happen because that's not the point of the interview, but if it does, that's just bad luck I guess.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Nurses. 'Nuf said.

 

[jebus]

A common interview question is, "what is the biggest problem with US healthcare today?".

I'm saying the US' biggest problems are the world's problems. I don't care if it's right or wrong.
I agree with the dogface: All they want to know is that you've been thinking about it and understand how to formulate and support a cogent argument. Public Health is going to make the biggest impact, and if you want to do that go get an MPH.
I would just start sobbing uncontrollably. Frankly, that's the biggest way I'll be able to impact major healthcare problems. Is there anything more moving than a grown man crying? http://www.retrojunk.com/details_commercial/499/

 

[CruiseLover]

Nurses. 'Nuf said.

Before you get to medical school, I would suggest you adjust your attitude regarding nurses. They can make or break you during your rotations. The best advice that can ever be given to a physician is to befriend the nurses and they will like you, and therefore help you. You come in with an attitude that you are better than they are, and believe me you will regret it. Remember when you're in residency, those nurses who have worked the bedside for 20 years DO know more than you do!

 

[jbrice1639]

i thought the correct answer was to say the biggest problem is access...which could be solved by having more doctors...so, uh...accept me and let's start fixing this problem

 

[bwells46]

A common interview question is, "what is the biggest problem with US healthcare today?". When answering this question, which could take many forms, i.e. access, physician distribution, etc., is it a bad strategy to support the opinion of switching to a single-payer system or a system of national health care coverage (socialized medicine?)...? I'm wondering b/c how does this affect physicians salaries and how will it resonate with the average interviewer who is him/herself a medical practioner? The last thing I'd want to do, no matter what I believed, was give an answer completely antithetical to the average physicians opinion. Thoughts and comments?

They're probably just looking for an honest answer from you that shows you know about the issues and have at least thought about ways to fix them. I don't think this is an unrealistic expectation for future medical students. I wouldn't worry about what your interviewer thinks - most interviewers can sense when you're trying to BS them or just tell them what you think they want to hear.

 

[bwells46]

Nurses. 'Nuf said.

You're saying the biggest problem is nurses? Have you ever even been in a hospital?

 

[Hausdaddy24]

Nurses. 'Nuf said.

Maybe the lack thereof (shortages)

 

[thegenius]

A common interview question is, "what is the biggest problem with US healthcare today?". When answering this question, which could take many forms, i.e. access, physician distribution, etc., is it a bad strategy to support the opinion of switching to a single-payer system or a system of national health care coverage (socialized medicine?)...? I'm wondering b/c how does this affect physicians salaries and how will it resonate with the average interviewer who is him/herself a medical practioner? The last thing I'd want to do, no matter what I believed, was give an answer completely antithetical to the average physicians opinion. Thoughts and comments?

Just pick a major problem and talk about it in detail. There is no right answer. If you poll current physicians you will not get a concensus answer.

 

[AggieJohn]

Before you get to medical school, I would suggest you adjust your attitude regarding nurses. They can make or break you during your rotations. The best advice that can ever be given to a physician is to befriend the nurses and they will like you, and therefore help you. You come in with an attitude that you are better than they are, and believe me you will regret it. Remember when you're in residency, those nurses who have worked the bedside for 20 years DO know more than you do!

Before you get out into the real world, I would suggest that you evaluate your ability to discern when someone is joking, and if you find yourself unable to, please try to develop a sense of humor ASAP.

 

[BaylorGuy]

A common interview question is, "what is the biggest problem with US healthcare today?". When answering this question, which could take many forms, i.e. access, physician distribution, etc., is it a bad strategy to support the opinion of switching to a single-payer system or a system of national health care coverage (socialized medicine?)...? I'm wondering b/c how does this affect physicians salaries and how will it resonate with the average interviewer who is him/herself a medical practioner? The last thing I'd want to do, no matter what I believed, was give an answer completely antithetical to the average physicians opinion. Thoughts and comments?

There is no right or wrong answer...they are asking you what is the biggest problem. This shows that you have at least some insight into what medicine entails. Also in answering this question, I'm assuming the interviewer is looking that you at least 1) realize that there is a problem...whatever it may be, and 2) how you would try and fix it. Although you may not fix it perse, at least you have a thought on the matter and know that medicine isn't a perfect business model.

P.S.---i had to stick in the business model bit for Shredder

 

[gujuDoc]

As others have said, there is no right or wrong answer.

It is asked to see if you even have an idea about healthcare and can thoroughly think out an answer and respond.

 

[lattimer13]

biggest problem is that there are so many problems w/ healthcare today...and nobody (or very few at best) is doing anything about these problems. lotsa i'm in it for myself type attitudes and let someone else take care of the problem. it's understandable seeing as such an uphill battle it is to make even the samllest of changes.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Before you get to medical school, I would suggest you adjust your attitude regarding nurses. They can make or break you during your rotations. The best advice that can ever be given to a physician is to befriend the nurses and they will like you, and therefore help you. You come in with an attitude that you are better than they are, and believe me you will regret it. Remember when you're in residency, those nurses who have worked the bedside for 20 years DO know more than you do!

Relax, I was being sarcastic. I've worked with nurses for years now and I realize most of them have more to do with the patient surviving or having a good outcome than most docs. Jeez....some people just can't take a joke.

 

[PlasticMan]

Before you get to medical school, I would suggest you adjust your attitude regarding nurses. They can make or break you during your rotations. The best advice that can ever be given to a physician is to befriend the nurses and they will like you, and therefore help you. You come in with an attitude that you are better than they are, and believe me you will regret it. Remember when you're in residency, those nurses who have worked the bedside for 20 years DO know more than you do!

Learn some Tagalog and the nurses will love you

 

[bwells46]

Relax, I was being sarcastic. I've worked with nurses for years now and I realize most of them have more to do with the patient surviving or having a good outcome than most docs. Jeez....some people just can't take a joke.

Good to hear. I really hate to think that there are future docs out there that don't realize how vital nurses are to health care.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Trust me, I was a respiratory therapist for 4 years, and have been in EMS for the past 8 1/2 years. If I hadn't realized that nurses really have all the power in a hospital then I'd have to be blind. If the nurses don't like you, then you're screwed.