What if I criticzed another country's medical model/philosohpy in an interview?

[Tippyboat]

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I know x 10000000 that I shouldn't be negative about things, especially not knowing my interviewer's background.

However, my experiences in another country's healthcare system is a big part of my journey to medicine. I have very specific points to talk about, with anecdotes and whatnot, and I believe it will help me be a better doctor in the American system. It's impossible to answer "why medicine" or my background in getting to know the profession without mentioning my negative experiences in this setting.

So would it get me into trouble to criticize another country's practices? There are major philosophical/policy differences between that model and the American one.

 

[OCizzle]

I don't see why not. You have no idea how many people are clueless or have misconstrued views of health care in other countries. The interviewers might appreciate learning something they didn't know. Just make sure you know what you're talking about, and be polite about it.

 

[Asyouwereatrio]

I know x 10000000 that I shouldn't be negative about things, especially not knowing my interviewer's background.

However, my experiences in another country's healthcare system is a big part of my journey to medicine. I have very specific points to talk about, with anecdotes and whatnot, and I believe it will help me be a better doctor in the American system. It's impossible to answer "why medicine" or my background in getting to know the profession without mentioning my negative experiences in this setting.

So would it get me into trouble to criticize another country's practices? There are major philosophical/policy differences between that model and the American one.

I say if you've lived there and formed your opinions from your own experiences with that system, you can say whatever you'd like about it. But if you're bashing it based on what you read or saw in a movie, I'd say it's best to not weigh judgement on it.

Ex: Bash Canada's health system all you want if you lived in Ontario and didn't like it, but if all you've heard is what is spewed out by crazy non-Canadiens who haven't lived a day up there...then you have no right to say anything about it.

 

[Charles_Carmichael]

If you have a well-reasoned argument supporting your view, I'd say go for it if the topic is brought up by the adcom (I don't know if it would a good idea to just jump into a critical analysis of another country's medical model without being asked what your views are). Adcoms probably realize that different people have different opinions, especially in the realm of health care delivery. I can't imagine that they'd dock you points if you support your position well.

 

[QuizzicalApe]

It's like prison. Be prepared to go in and pick a fight with the baddest-looking healthcare system around or you'll be eaten alive during the interview.

Real answer: Any knowledge you have which make you seem actively interested in how health care works is good, but as people said don't try to shoehorn it in.

 

[Kaustikos]

I definitely don't plan on sugar coating our health care reform, if asked about it, but I'll simply point out the flaws as questions. OP, if you see something wrong about it, don't state it, but put it in the form of a question; that way, you can gauge the interviewers response without sounding arrogant or cynical. Or, that's what I usually do.

 

[Kaustikos]

It's like prison. Be prepared to go in and pick a fight with the baddest-looking healthcare system around or you'll be eaten alive during the interview.

Real answer: Any knowledge you have which make you seem actively interested in how health care works is good, but as people said don't try to shoehorn it in.

http://www.comedycentral.com/videos/index.jhtml?title=keepin-it-realer&videoId=11915

go to 2:30 -

 

[45408]

I'm usually disappointed at how little pre-meds and med students know about our health care system, so if you know a lot, it would impress me in an interview. Don't be overly harsh, but if you say you disagree with a certain system and can explain in rational terms why, that's fine. I don't want a single payer system, but if you gave reasonable arguments why you wanted one, I certainly wouldn't hold it against you.

 

[VikingLegacy]

baleeted

 

[seelee]

I agree with the above comments.

One more, I would try to phrase things in terms of your specific experiences rather than generalities. As in "while in country X we were faced with challenges A, B, and C. This experience made me want to be a doctor more...etc."

When you extrapolate your personal experience to general statements, your argument is much weaker.

 

[runawayclock]

I agree with the above posters... I am wary of flag-waving Americans without passports whose only idea of Canadian health care is medical marijuana and "death boards" who tell me what is wrong with my pansy socialist health care system. There are legitimate problems with any health care system, but you have to address these carefully, especially in a setting like your interview.

I think if the critic has *lived there* as a citizen or permanent resident (i.e. you got the same care as most of the people of that country) it is much easier to accept the criticism. If your only experience of the Japanese health care system was after an ill-concieved sushi and saki binge, well, let's just say i'm not going to take you too seriously...