what if you don't know the answer to a clinical interview question

[anatomyaddict]

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i've started to hear some stories about interviewees about being asked to interpret clinical scenarios and explain their research epidemiology and calculations . I am trying my best not to get psyched out by this...but if you really truly don't know the answer to an interview question...how in your guys' opinion is the best way to respond?

 

[tm12]

i've started to hear some stories about interviewees about being asked to interpret clinical scenarios and explain their research epidemiology and calculations . I am trying my best not to get psyched out by this...but if you really truly don't know the answer to an interview question...how in your guys' opinion is the best way to respond?

"oops"

 

[fourchambered]

You revert back to your med student dodge tactics... "Well, I know about X (explain something that you know that is tangentially related), I've heard about Y (repeat what they just said) and I'm just starting to learn more about it, and end with, that's a really good point I should look more into that..." Come on, haven't you been pimped on the wards before?

 

[anatomyaddict]

You revert back to your med student dodge tactics... "Well, I know about X (explain something that you know that is tangentially related), I've heard about Y (repeat what they just said) and I'm just starting to learn more about it, and end with, that's a really good point I should look more into that..." Come on, haven't you been pimped on the wards before?

haha yea...but answering on wards is a lot different than one on one attention from an interviewer

 

[RestoreSight]

Sounds like if it's your research there trying to gauge your level of involvement. I.e was it your project or was your name just added by a nice PI. Flip the scenario, your the interviewer.. Don't you think you could spot some made up story thrown at you? Best bet is to prepare well in advance, know everything on your application and CV backwards and forewards, and address questions confidently even if in the back of your mind you haven't got a clue.

 

[JMK2005]

Most of the time, it's regarding your research or what you've put in your personal statement.

It is unlikely that they'll pimp you out of the blue. If that's the case, give your best answer or say that you don't know. Get the interviewer's email address, look up the answer, and then follow-up.

 

[MstaKing10]

I was asked to interpert a gonio and flourescein an an interview. Turned out the guy was a real tool and the program was not a place I wanted to be anyways. If they pimp you on things you really couldn't know at this point in your career, may be a red flag of things to come when you're a resident. Of course some may flourish in that type of environment, just not me.

If it's a question about your CV/application, then you should be able to answer it unless you just padded your application, in which case they may catch you on that. At that point tangential answering and direct "I'm not sure" type answers may be your best bet but hard to diffuse that bomb!

 

[JMK2005]

I was asked to interpert a gonio and flourescein an an interview. Turned out the guy was a real tool and the program was not a place I wanted to be anyways. If they pimp you on things you really couldn't know at this point in your career, may be a red flag of things to come when you're a resident. Of course some may flourish in that type of environment, just not me.

If it's a question about your CV/application, then you should be able to answer it unless you just padded your application, in which case they may catch you on that. At that point tangential answering and direct "I'm not sure" type answers may be your best bet but hard to diffuse that bomb!

Gonio and FA, wow! Maybe he was a board examiner and was in that frame of mind to ask clinical questions.

I agree if they are ask those type of questions, it's a red flag for the program.

 

[InterviewMe]

Most of the time, it's regarding your research or what you've put in your personal statement.

This x 1000. If you mention any research or expertise in your application, you need to know it cold and be ready to discuss it at length. The interviewers are interested in seeing how you think as a scientist and making sure you actually contributed.

 

[KHE]

I was asked to interpert a gonio and flourescein an an interview. Turned out the guy was a real tool and the program was not a place I wanted to be anyways. If they pimp you on things you really couldn't know at this point in your career, may be a red flag of things to come when you're a resident. Of course some may flourish in that type of environment, just not me.

[/QUOTE]

That's insane to be asked that as part of an interview for a residency program. Wow.

On the other hand, maybe it's like the Kobayashi Maru.

 

[johnbl]

other possibility is the guy was a "fossil" , old like me and forgot what a medical student may know and a resident may know?? I have seen it happen..If an attending is a "fossil" and is say 65-70 yrs old, a resident and a medical student both look young and their knowledge base could be clouded in this dudes mind. More likely, he was trying to see what the prospective resident would do under pressure..Possibly the applicant knew the answer, though probably not..He probably hates a bser and was trying to see if that would happen.

 

[johnbl]

there should be message to you, the applicant when an interviewer pulls some off the wall bs..Personally i would try to avoid such mentors as they will manifest more of their weirdness if you work under them. WHen i applied for a retina fellowship at Bascom in the mid eighties..i was warned by one of the young Bascom retina attendings at Pittsburgh where I was a resident that there was a retina attending at the Bascom Retina Program that will not make eye contact with you at all and will ask you to open a window that you cant see is nailed shut. Sure enough, the guy doesnt even look in my direction the entire 30 minute interview..he didnt try the window game..I thought it was actually funny..I didnt get into the program but wasnt sad i didnt have to work with this kind of weirdness that I think would present itself again. In other words..folks that act off the wall and are looking to "shock you" will
probably in some shape or manner pull this same bs when you are a resident. I met a couple on a cruise last yr who was best friends with this retina attending (who is no longer living). I told him the same story i just told you guys..he laugher and said .."he was a kind , good person but weird ".caveat emptor!!