Tough Interview Questions: How would you respond?

[CaMD]

---

Members don't see this ad.

For the first one, I took a deep breath, thought a moment and spit out the only thing I could think of. I told them (it was a three-on-one interview) Chopin's Polonaise No. 6 because it reflected my overwhelming optimism. I know that sounds cheesy, but that one totally caught me off guard.

For the second question, three of us applicants were asked to come up with a project for our hypothetical M1 class to participate in. We had one minute to confer and give a collective answer. Keep in mind that we were being watched from across a table by the three interviewers. We gave our answer and then one of the interviewers immediately asked me what I noticed about the other two applicants. Luckily, the other two folks were really nice so it was a bit easier to answer. I said something about each individual but then they asked me to be more general, so I said that we all carefully listened to one another and were very patient considering the time frame. I do believe that was the answer they were looking for since the head interviewer said "Yes, exactly." That question was pretty unnerving.


I've had some other tough ones too:

How would you lessen America's dependence on foreign oil? (after in my previous answer I complained about oil drilling in the Alaskan Outback)

What do you think of America's foreign policy?

My favorite question was:

If I were your age, what would you say to convince me to move to your hometown to start my career? (I'm from Memphis, so it was easy)

It sounds like you've had horrible stressful interviews so far! It's scaring me in terms of what I can expect. Can I ask what school this was at?

 

[MsEvolution]

In situations where the girl's safety would be jeopardized by telling her parents, or if the parents would inflict extreme emotional stress or punishment on the girl, a judge can order the abortion without parental knowledge.

Really?? If I'd have known that when I was 15, lots of things would have turned out very different in my life.

 

[menemotxi]

It sounds like you've had horrible stressful interviews so far! It's scaring me in terms of what I can expect. Can I ask what school this was at?

This was last year. I deferred my acceptance so I can travel this year.

All but the group interview question were asked at a scholarship interview. That may be why they seem extra stressful. A lot of it seemed like the interviewers were checking to see whether I knew what I was talking about. For example, they asked me what books I like to read and I said I hadn't read in a while, but I enjoyed Shakespeare in high school. Next question was "What is your favorite Shakespeare play?" The questions relating to politics came after I through in a bit of political rhetoric in with one of my answers.

My normal interviews were filled with very simple get-to-know-you questions. I wouldn't stress out if I were you. Remember that you can take a second to think about a question before answering, and also ask for clarification of a question if you don't know what the interviewer is looking for. Good luck with the whole process and pm me if you want a longer list of questions I encountered or want to know which schools ask me the tough ones. I can still remember most of them.

M

 

[Psycho Doctor]

The politics ones would freak me out...i am so uninvolved in politics and anything i did say would probably be viewed as controversial. So if i don't bring up political issues on my own, will they probably not ask me any?

I wasn't so worried about interviews, now I'm really concerned i'll screw them up.

 

[sequoia]

I wasn't so worried about interviews, now I'm really concerned i'll screw them up.

Though this thread has given us a little more to think about in preparing for our interviews, I think that by participating and reading what has been discussed has probably helped prepare you. You are definately better off now than you were before this thread so think to yourself, if I get one of these questions, I'll be ready!

 

[Psycho Doctor]

Though this thread has given us a little more to think about in preparing for our interviews, I think that by participating and reading what has been discussed has probably helped prepare you. You are definately better off now than you were before this thread so think to yourself, if I get one of these questions, I'll be ready!

I absolutely agree. However I was pretty calm talking about my own profile and my personnel desires and path toward med school. However knowing that any kind of question is free game makes me nervous that i will not be able to answer in an appropriate well thought out response. Being nervous for an interview never helps one make a good impression. 👎

 

[sequoia]

I absolutely agree. However I was pretty calm talking about my own profile and my personnel desires and path toward med school. However knowing that any kind of question is free game makes me nervous that i will not be able to answer in an appropriate well thought out response. Being nervous for an interview never helps one make a good impression. 👎

I understand. I have gotten pretty good at channelling my nervousness into focused calmness.

I first developed this technique at an interview for a research fellowship a couple of years ago.
========================================================
(1) Take a deep breath and hold it for the count of 10 then let it out for the count of 10. Repeat 3 more times. By now you are focused on your breathing and not thinking very much.

(2) Continue to breath in a very slow controlled way. With each inhale, imagine that you are breathing in calmness, or focus, or relaxation, or whatever you need at that moment. With each exhale imagine pushing out all your tension, nervousness, fear, etc.

Cycle through the things that are bothering you most replacing them consciously with the things that you need most. Go through a cycle of four things positive, and four things negative before switching back to step (1) for four more cycles. Go back and forth between the two until you feel relaxed, confident and calm.

Tip: I usually mentally say to myself what I'm exhaling and then what I'm replacing it with.

For example: (Inhale and short hold) Thinking "confidence"....(Exhale and short hold) Thinking "saying umms during interview".
=========================================================
This works really well for me every time I interview for anything. I'd love to hear how it works for all of you.

 

[Psycho Doctor]

hey thanks sequoia, i'll have to try that...anything to change the focus. I had traditionally been good at speaking one on one or even in small groups, but i hate doing oral presentations. So i never really thought i'd need a procedure for interviews before.

 

[bridge01]

in case anyone is following this case, here's an update.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/24/national/24dying.html?th

September 24, 2004
Feed-Tube Law Is Struck Down in Florida Case
By ABBY GOODNOUGH

IAMI, Sept. 23 - Gov. Jeb Bush's efforts to keep a brain-damaged woman alive against her husband's wishes all but collapsed on Thursday, when the Florida Supreme Court ruled that the law letting the governor order her feeding tube reinserted violated the separation of powers guaranteed by the state's Constitution...

 

[heeter]

"An 11 y/o girl comes to your office without her parents... She wants birthcontrol b/c she is having sex. What do you tell her?"

Damn, I totally flubbed this one. I finally said I would give her the birthcontrol but I would give her a hard time about her activities. I asked the interviewer what she (pediatrics MD) would have said... Ask how old the male is in case it is statutory rape, be nice so she will come back, give her the birthcontrol but make it the 3 mo injectible so she will come back. Whoops. Be careful out there.

 

[sunsweet]

I have a question about the abortion issue. Personally, I feel that abortion is wrong and I would not have or perform an abortion. However, this is due to my own personal and religious beliefs and I feel that I should not force my beliefs on someone else and so every woman should have the right to make her own decision and decide for herself whether it is right or wrong. If I say this, does it seem like I'm not standing up for what I believe in? Even though I feel that abortion is wrong I'm still pro-choice? I just feel that just because I think its wrong doesn't mean that everyone should have the same beliefs. Maybe someone doesn't believe in God or doesn't feel that a fetus has a soul, etc. is it ok to say this, or should I just defend one or the other?

 

[tinkerbelle]

Wow sunsweet 🙂 That's exactly what I plan on saying. I just hope that the interviewer is cool and feels the same way... or at least understands why I feel the way I do. Basically my point would be that even though I would never have an abortion, I don't believe in forcing my beliefs on everyone else. And in the end, each woman needs to do what is right for her, and sometimes that means having an abortion. Therefore, I am pro-choice. And if someone else has a problem with my stance, well then tough. Because I can't change the way i feel.

Oh, uh, I wouldn't talk about "they don't think the fetus has a soul" stuff or "they don't believe in God". It sounds like you're puting people who have abortions down. Women need to do what they have to do. And people who have abortions can still believe in God and even be Catholic. But I guess that's just my opinion.

 

[sfbear]

Wow sunsweet 🙂 That's exactly what I plan on saying. I just hope that the interviewer is cool and feels the same way... or at least understands why I feel the way I do. Basically my point would be that even though I would never have an abortion, I don't believe in forcing my beliefs on everyone else. And in the end, each woman needs to do what is right for her, and sometimes that means having an abortion. Therefore, I am pro-choice. And if someone else has a problem with my stance, well then tough. Because I can't change the way i feel.

Oh, uh, I wouldn't talk about "they don't think the fetus has a soul" stuff or "they don't believe in God". It sounds like you're puting people who have abortions down. Women need to do what they have to do. And people who have abortions can still believe in God and even be Catholic. But I guess that's just my opinion.

I think it's good to stick to your beliefs, but you might also want to mention (if this is true, of course) that if she really wanted the abortion and you didn't feel comfortable performing it, you would give her a referal to someone who would.

 

[PreMedConvert]

How would you explain your reasons for going to Podunk U instead of a more prestigious one for undergrad? I know several people who've been asked this question in PhD interviews.

 

[tinkerbelle]

I think it's good to stick to your beliefs, but you might also want to mention (if this is true, of course) that if she really wanted the abortion and you didn't feel comfortable performing it, you would give her a referal to someone who would.

good point. i totally forgot about that.

 

[SailCrazy]

2) You are a family practitioner and you are very busy seeing about 30 patients a day. You attend a family practice meeting and you are sitting next to 2 doctors. One is your friend whom you have known for a long time. He claims to see 60 patients a day. What do you tell him? (in terms of quality vs quantity)

The other doctor next to you sees 18 patients a day. What do you say to him?

What if the second doctor told you that he sees 18 a day, but there are 25 more patients who can't see him because he spends too much time on each patient, what do you say now?

I think a key here is that it is not our place to start telling other physicians how to do their job. That said...

For the friend who sees 60 patients a day, you could ask sopmething like "Wow, how do you do it? I feel rushed when I see more than 30!"

Because the person was a friend (as described by the interviewer) this type of comment/question wouldn't be offensive. If it sparks a discussion about quantity vs. quality - great. If not, know when not to push too much into someone else's business.

Another possibility to mention. If these individuals work for a group (not private pracitice) you might approach a senior member of the organization about developing some "best practices" guidelines for the physicians to follow regarding quantity vs. quality.

You could ask the second doctor what he/she does with the "overflow" patients. You might even go so far as to say you have some of that problem yourself (true or not) and try to come up with ideas to help with this "mutual" problem.

 

[DoctorMalki]

I know in some cases you are not allowed to disclose medical conditions or records of a patient even to a spouse or a fmaily member but what would you do in the following circumstances?
1. What would you do if a patient with tuberculosis refused to tell his family about his condition?
OR

2. sband refuses to tell his pregnant wife that he has AIDS.

 

[neuronerd]

A baby is an independent living organism. A fetus is essentially a parasite with the mother as the host. It cannot survive on its own before a certain point, and after that, only with heroic measures. If an organism cannot survive on its own, but rather relies on a host organism, it is not entitled to the rights and privileges of an independently surviving organism - that is, one that can sustain its own biological processes outside of the host. A fetus will turn into a baby, but is not a baby. Big difference, and I for one do not think that anyone, "father", physician, or otherwise, has the right to tell a woman to host an organism she does not want to give life to. Women have rights, and men would love to continually diminish those rights or take them away. A man does have a say in whether or not he will have a baby: if he wants one, get pregnant with a woman who wants one. Don't sleep with someone and then expect them to live by your rules. If you're going to sleep with a woman who has differing views on abortion than you, then choose not to sleep with them. I find it amusing that men degrade women and use them as sexual objects in this society (and on this very forum), but then decide that when the consequences of their sexual actions do not suit them, that they should have power in the woman's decision-making. Women are degraded enough. Their bodies are still their bodies. End of story.

Stinkycheese . . .marry me.

 

[neuronerd]

I have a question about the abortion issue. Personally, I feel that abortion is wrong and I would not have or perform an abortion. However, this is due to my own personal and religious beliefs and I feel that I should not force my beliefs on someone else and so every woman should have the right to make her own decision and decide for herself whether it is right or wrong. If I say this, does it seem like I'm not standing up for what I believe in? Even though I feel that abortion is wrong I'm still pro-choice? I just feel that just because I think its wrong doesn't mean that everyone should have the same beliefs. Maybe someone doesn't believe in God or doesn't feel that a fetus has a soul, etc. is it ok to say this, or should I just defend one or the other?

not everyone that is pro-choice would have an abortion themselves. It's about limiting the power of other people just because you are religious or whatever reason.

 

[sequoia]

I know in some cases you are not allowed to disclose medical conditions or records of a patient even to a spouse or a fmaily member but what would you do in the following circumstances?

What would you do if a patient with tuberculosis refused to tell his family about his condition?

1. TB is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and M. africanum. It is highly infectious requiring long term treatment and followup. TB remains communicable until it is treated and controlled.

2. TB is a REPORTABLE DISEASE...that means you are legally obligated to report this case. If the patient won't tell his family on his own, he won't be able to avoid them finding out because the TB outreach team will be tracking him for a very long time, if not for the rest of his natural life. However, I would spend some time explaining the disease to the patient and its long term consequences. It would be VERY rare that someone would refuse to tell family once he'd seen the entire picture. This is all relative to where the family lives, of course. Family living in the same residence must know and I'm sure the TB team at the health department would have an obligation to notify everyone in his resisidence and educate them.

 

[wends]

wow. this is an awesome thread! stinkycheese, you have articulated what i think so much better than i could have!

 

[2DEG]

I have a question about the abortion issue. Personally, I feel that abortion is wrong and I would not have or perform an abortion. However, this is due to my own personal and religious beliefs and I feel that I should not force my beliefs on someone else and so every woman should have the right to make her own decision and decide for herself whether it is right or wrong. If I say this, does it seem like I'm not standing up for what I believe in? Even though I feel that abortion is wrong I'm still pro-choice? I just feel that just because I think its wrong doesn't mean that everyone should have the same beliefs. Maybe someone doesn't believe in God or doesn't feel that a fetus has a soul, etc. is it ok to say this, or should I just defend one or the other?

Why can't there be more people like you? I also feel the same way about abortion. I do think its wrong but I am still a pro-choice.

Recently, I heard about doctors/pharmacists refusing to give contraceptives because it violates their personal religious belief. Truly amazing!

 

[kmnfive]

Anyone else have a hard interview question ?

 

[Rubick]

Anyone else have a hard interview question ?

heard this one?

The interviewer asks the interviewie to open the window to get some fresh air, but the window is nailed shut or cannot be opened. How do you respond to this situation?



After struggling with the window for about 3 minutes, I took my shoe off and threw it through the window. Then I had to hop downstairs on one foot in order to retrieve my shoe without getting my sock dirty.

 

[kmnfive]

heard this one?

The interviewer asks the interviewie to open the window to get some fresh air, but the window is nailed shut or cannot be opened. How do you respond to this situation?



After struggling with the window for about 3 minutes, I took my shoe off and threw it through the window. Then I had to hop downstairs on one foot in order to retrieve my shoe without getting my sock dirty.

hahahhaa, i hope this isnt real.

 

[SailCrazy]

heard this one?

The interviewer asks the interviewie to open the window to get some fresh air, but the window is nailed shut or cannot be opened. How do you respond to this situation?



After struggling with the window for about 3 minutes, I took my shoe off and threw it through the window. Then I had to hop downstairs on one foot in order to retrieve my shoe without getting my sock dirty.

hahahhaa, i hope this isnt real.

How much more obvious could it get that this isn't real?!?

Everyone knows that in reality you'd throw a chair through the window - and not have to worry about getting your sock dirty on the retrieval!

 

[sunsweet]

Why can't there be more people like you? I also feel the same way about abortion. I do think its wrong but I am still a pro-choice.

Recently, I heard about doctors/pharmacists refusing to give contraceptives because it violates their personal religious belief. Truly amazing!

thanks for the replies! its good to know that other people share this belief too...you don't really hear it that often (at least I havent).

 

[freaker]

Excellent Answer! And a respectable way of speaking to patient care and not political hot buttons.

Speaking of which, what if you are asked which candidate you support for president in an interview? That is a really scary one! 😱

Eh, actually, hotbuttons were definitely pushed. The poster just assumed that the only reason a poster wouldn't perform an abortion was out of religious belief. That doesn't logically follow.

I personally wouldn't perform an abortion under any circumstance provided the woman wasn't in immediate danger (which is quite rare). You can make all the arguments about treating the patient first and letting the patient choose, but I consider that fetus a patient. In the same way I'm not going to harm a deaf, blind, mute, I'm not going to harm a fetus or assist someone else in doing that harm. So no referrals, either.

 

[sfbear]

as far as interview questions go, i compiled a list (seperated into ethical, personal, other, and healthcare) that i though might help some of you out. no answers, just questions.

 

[constructor]

thanks a lot, sfbear, you're awesome!!! 🙂

everything in there is great.. far better and more comprehensive than the websites that have sample interview questions. 👍

 

[sequoia]

Eh, actually, hotbuttons were definitely pushed. The poster just assumed that the only reason a poster wouldn't perform an abortion was out of religious belief. That doesn't logically follow.

I personally wouldn't perform an abortion under any circumstance provided the woman wasn't in immediate danger (which is quite rare). You can make all the arguments about treating the patient first and letting the patient choose, but I consider that fetus a patient. In the same way I'm not going to harm a deaf, blind, mute, I'm not going to harm a fetus or assist someone else in doing that harm. So no referrals, either.

Freaker and all other anti-abortion people - you are totally entitled to your own opinions and beliefs so I'm not going to argue with you on it. I want to share my opinion about allowing your beliefs to impact your future specialty choice, however...

If you consider a fetus, essentially a parasite relying on the woman's body for EVERYTHING your patient, when a woman comes to see you, I feel very bad for the woman, is she not your patient too? Shouldn't she come first.

I would have the best interest of the woman at heart first. If she came to you for advice, she obviously trusts you to give her the best advice for her. You don't sound like someone that women would want to go to for advice so you will probably never have the situation where a woman asks you about abortion as an option. To be sure to prevent this situation since you don't want to deal with it in a compassionate way, I suggest not going into OB/GYN for both your well being and for the well being of potential patients.

Please don't take this the wrong way, I'm not trying to criticize you as a person. I'm just trying to point out that if your beliefs keep you from providing quality care to the primary patient, the woman, you might be a great doctor for patients whose issues don't relate to your personal beliefs.

 

[sequoia]

as far as interview questions go, i compiled a list (seperated into ethical, personal, other, and healthcare) that i though might help some of you out. no answers, just questions.

Thanks sftbear! Everyone should check these out!

 

[ZappBrannigan]

From the UW's Bioethics website:

What role should the physician's personal feelings and beliefs play in the physician-patient relationship?

Occasionally, a physician may face requests for services, such as contraception or abortion, which raise a conflict for the physician. Physicians do not have to provide medical services in opposition to their personal beliefs. In addition, it is acceptable to have a nonjudgmental discussion with a patient regarding her need for the service, and to ensure that the patient understands alternative forms of therapy. However, it is never appropriate to proselytize. While the physician may decline to provide the requested service, the patient must be treated as a respected, autonomous individual. Where appropriate, the patient should be provided with resources about how to obtain the desired service.

 

[sfbear]

Thanks sftbear! Everyone should check these out!

Glad you found 'em helpful. I would say that I'm glad you're enjoying them, but somehow I don't think that's quite the right word. 🙂

 

[vtucci]

I am sure that comparing a fetus to a parasite is highly offensive to many SDNers. Moreover, I would also argue that a person should not be precluded from choosing OBGYN as a specialty simply because they do not want to perform abortions. As has been noted, the life of the mother scenario is far from the most common scenario when we speak about abortion and few individuals can dispute the fact that if the mother's life is truly in danger than the physician has a moral and legal obligation to perform the procedure.

Fortunately, I plan to enter emergency medicine where if I have to perform an abortion, it will be to save the life of the mother. I would not be comfortable performing it in any other situation.

 

[DoctorMalki]

If a patient refuses blood tranfusion but as a physician you know that the patient will die without one, is there nothing that the physician can do? I know we have to respect the patient's wishes but I mean its so hard for me to believe that the physician will just see a patient who could have been cured just die like that.

 

[MadameLULU]

If a patient refuses blood tranfusion but as a physician you know that the patient will die without one, is there nothing that the physician can do? I know we have to respect the patient's wishes but I mean its so hard for me to believe that the physician will just see a patient who could have been cured just die like that.

In this case you have to respect the patient's wishes. Most Jehovah's witnesses have this belief. The only exception to this is if the patient is a minor. Even if the child's parents do not want the blood transfusion, a physician is obligated by law to do it.

 

[DoctorMalki]

In this case you have to respect the patient's wishes. Most Jehovah's witnesses have this belief. The only exception to this is if the patient is a minor. Even if the child's parents do not want the blood transfusion, a physician is obligated by law to do it.

Thanks madamelulu

 

[sequoia]

What was the best and worse experiences in your life?

This was a hard question to answer on the spot. I was asked it in a morning interview when my brain still felt like mush. And how do you put these things in words? Very carefully.

 

[jsl]

I am sure that comparing a fetus to a parasite is highly offensive to many SDNers. Moreover, I would also argue that a person should not be precluded from choosing OBGYN as a specialty simply because they do not want to perform abortions. As has been noted, the life of the mother scenario is far from the most common scenario when we speak about abortion and few individuals can dispute the fact that if the mother's life is truly in danger than the physician has a moral and legal obligation to perform the procedure.

Fortunately, I plan to enter emergency medicine where if I have to perform an abortion, it will be to save the life of the mother. I would not be comfortable performing it in any other situation.

If you abort a fetus/baby on an unconscious patient in the ER you may be working against the patient's wishes. My wife would qualify as one of those patients. I don't know about the legalities, a skilled trial attorney could probably argue you into a lawsuit. If I had the choice, I would save the mother. Our morals won't always match the patient's, however. Speaking on abortion in general, forget religion. You could be an atheist and vehemetly oppose abortion. Our laws that prosecute murderers are however based on the ten commandments. Like it or not, the Bible is the bedrock of western thought regarding the law.

 

[Dr Wannabee]

It's not a baby, it's an embryo (or fetus). And last I checked, an adult cannot petition for custody over another adult's body (except in the case of developmental delay/incapability of decision-making/life support). The 'father' has no right to have custody over the 'mother's' body just because he wants her to go through a pregnancy she doesn't want for nine months, endure labor and delivery, and then hand over the baby to the 'father'. Women have the right to do with their bodies what they choose.

Whatever you say Killy McGee. Sounds to me like you've got a chip on your shoulder.

 

[Mr. Seeds]

Did you know that the medicine has the biggest gap in pay equity of all the entire U.S.? Women still earn only 65% of what men do in the same specialties and level of experience after adjusting for various confounders. I have the article electronically if anyone wants to read it, just pm me.

Anyway, say you are asked in an interview to talk about the gap in salaries between genders. How do you account for the difference? What are the reasons women might be making less? What would you suggest to rectify the problem?

-Sequoia

Full-time is defined as 35 hrs/wk. Men outside of medicine work on average 15.1 hrs/wk more than women. But the studies don't count this disparity; they only look at "full-time" workers. Hence, they are comparing a woman who works 35 hrs with a man who works 50.1 hrs/wk, and then claim that the reason the man makes more is sex discrimination. God, anyone with an IQ above 1 could look at the methodology of the wage gap studies, and see that of all the factors and variables that account in part for the wage gap, discrimination is hardly one of them.

Seriously, if men and women were doing the same work, and men get payed more, who in bloody hell would hire men? Hello? Anyone home?

 

[Davina3000]

I've been looking over the interview feedback section for EVMS and there is one question that seems to come up a fair amount that I would appreciate some opinions on:

"You have an 80 year old patient for whom you have perscribed medication for high blood pressure. Her blood pressure remains high although she insists that she is taking the meds. How do you handle this situation?"

There are a couple of variations on the question, sometimes including who do you ask to see if she really is taking the meds?

Maybe I'm just overthinking the question, but I don't see any "great" answer for it. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[DoctorMalki]

I've been looking over the interview feedback section for EVMS and there is one question that seems to come up a fair amount that I would appreciate some opinions on:

"You have an 80 year old patient for whom you have perscribed medication for high blood pressure. Her blood pressure remains high although she insists that she is taking the meds. How do you handle this situation?"

There are a couple of variations on the question, sometimes including who do you ask to see if she really is taking the meds?

Maybe I'm just overthinking the question, but I don't see any "great" answer for it. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

I would say that if she lives with family then have one of them make sure she is taking her medication everyday.

 

[constructor]

Full-time is defined as 35 hrs/wk. Men outside of medicine work on average 15.1 hrs/wk more than women. But the studies don't count this disparity; they only look at "full-time" workers. Hence, they are comparing a woman who works 35 hrs with a man who works 50.1 hrs/wk, and then claim that the reason the man makes more is sex discrimination. God, anyone with an IQ above 1 could look at the methodology of the wage gap studies, and see that of all the factors and variables that account in part for the wage gap, discrimination is hardly one of them.

Seriously, if men and women were doing the same work, and men get payed more, who in bloody hell would hire men? Hello? Anyone home?

i love an SDNer who can think... 👍 😀

 

[Khenon]

Full-time is defined as 35 hrs/wk. Men outside of medicine work on average 15.1 hrs/wk more than women. But the studies don't count this disparity; they only look at "full-time" workers. Hence, they are comparing a woman who works 35 hrs with a man who works 50.1 hrs/wk, and then claim that the reason the man makes more is sex discrimination. God, anyone with an IQ above 1 could look at the methodology of the wage gap studies, and see that of all the factors and variables that account in part for the wage gap, discrimination is hardly one of them.

Seriously, if men and women were doing the same work, and men get payed more, who in bloody hell would hire men? Hello? Anyone home?

But all things being equal (hours worked, etc) there is still a disparity in pay, but it's not necessarily discrimination. It's because most women don't ask for pay raises. Men are more willing to go into their supervisors and ask for more pay, and come up with reasons they deserve more pay. Women aren't as willing to this, and will (in many cases) stick with the same pay that they were first offered when starting a position.

I'm sure if statistics would show starting salaries for both men and women, there wouldn't be much of a gap. However, if they show salaries 5 years later, suddenly there would be a gap. This is a fact ladies . . . We need to demand raises for our efforts! 😀

 

[bridge01]

I've been looking over the interview feedback section for EVMS and there is one question that seems to come up a fair amount that I would appreciate some opinions on:

"You have an 80 year old patient for whom you have perscribed medication for high blood pressure. Her blood pressure remains high although she insists that she is taking the meds. How do you handle this situation?"

There are a couple of variations on the question, sometimes including who do you ask to see if she really is taking the meds?

Maybe I'm just overthinking the question, but I don't see any "great" answer for it. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

maybe talk to the patient about their understanding of the condition. i read of a situation where a patient didnt take their medicine some days b/c sometimes they felt ok. you could go through how blood pressure meds need to be taken regularly, etc. similarly, people sometimes stop taking statins b/c they arent comfortable w/the idea of taking drugs for such a long time.

also i think older patients tend to have more chronic conditions and may have a lot more medications to keep straight. maybe going over everything the patient is on, reviewing instructions, and updating their information would make it more clear for the patient.

 

[constructor]

you're just speculating and there's absolutely no evidence to show that women in medicine aren't aggressive about pay raises. in fact, a woman who just joined my dad's orthopedic practice after completing her fellowship tried to demand the same pay as the other physicians who have been working there for 10 more years (it's an hmo so they get paid by capitation - a fixed salary). also, in my experience, the female premeds are a lot more cutthroat and competitive than their male counterparts. i'd say that in general women are more goal-oriented and mature at this age than men are... men like to mess around a little bit here and there.

 

[Khenon]

you're just speculating and there's absolutely no evidence to show that women in medicine aren't aggressive about pay raises. in fact, a woman who just joined my dad's orthopedic practice after completing her fellowship tried to demand the same pay as the other physicians who have been working there for 10 more years (it's an hmo so they get paid by capitation - a fixed salary). also, in my experience, the female premeds are a lot more cutthroat and competitive than their male counterparts. i'd say that in general women are more goal-oriented and mature at this age than men are... men like to mess around a little bit here and there.

Actually I did get my information from a literature source, but I'm sure you're experiences are valid. I'm glad to hear that women in medicine are competitive with men. I was just trying to state a reality, that generally speaking women are less likely to ask for raises. I wasn't trying to speak strictly about women in medicine. Sorry about the confusion.

 

[zoteater]

how would you answer "why medicine instead of nursing, EMT, or physician's assistant, social worker..."?