Right Approaches To Medical Interviews

By: Jon Caldwell

In interviewing your patient, take note of the following problems in communication and try your best to provide solutions to them:

1. The interview situation is complicated and dynamic. Keep in mind that you have to listen well to your patient and not impose your thoughts upon the conversation.

2. There is a variety of personality types that a doctor or a patient can assume. Try your best to deal with these types and communicate using their preferred way of communication.

3. The patient's situation is complex and it could not be simplified right away. Patients might even be reluctant to discuss it, however encourage the patient to discuss it further.

4. Know the risks involved and let your patients know. They have a right to understand the potential dangers of your procedures and choose other options if possible.

Encourage your patients to get involved. Ask for feedback. Let them tell you their insights, concerns and plans. Try to know what they know and correct any misinformation that they may have. There is a great chance that they will have heard Mr. John Doe say that this kind of treatment causes certain death that's why they shouldn't be taking that, or read in the paper that pill x causes dizziness and pimples when taken regularly. Also, they may tell you that this procedure costs too much and they will take this cheaper yet irrelevant procedure instead. Neutralize these fallacious beliefs and assure them that they are in good hands.

In talking with your patients, you will be imparting information that will be very important to the state of their wellbeing. Because of this, you must be careful in the way you express your statements. Here are some guidelines:

Patients tend to forget 2/3 of what they hear and more so if they're under stress or pain. Confirm if the patient heard and understood what was said. Keep your words simple: simplify, categorize, prioritize, repeat yourself and let them repeat what you have said. You could make it even easier for them by setting ideas in a familiar context, making them more accessible and linking these with a person, image or metaphor.

In a medical interview, you would be judged according to the way you dress and the way you behave, but most importantly, by the way you answer the questions. Here are some topics that will likely be discussed:

Academic record: This includes grades, courses and anything which may catch their attention. If you have a failing grade, prove that you have compensated. If you have a research, prepare to defend it.

Extracurricular activities: Talk about your interests and their applications to the medical field

Motivations: Why did you choose a medical career? Give specific experiences and relevant skills.

Current issues in health care: Demonstrate your awareness, logic and sensitivity. Read on a variety of topics including ethics, culture and society.

Send your CV to as many agencies as you can. Just pick out the ones that will contact you first before passing out your details to companies. If you send it to more agencies, you will increase your chances of knowing a good job offer. Just do not tell the agency that you are sending your CV to others. Their goal is to try to persuade you to just register with them alone. If they will be able to do that, they will be willing to invest more time with you.

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