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| title | Behaviour-based questions |
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Behaviour-based questions are interview questions that prompt you for a specific time when you used a skill or dealt with a situation in the past. It combines a prompt for one specific example (e.g. “tell me about a time when”) with a skill you need or situation you will face in your program or profession (e.g. “you had to communicate complex information”). How do I prepare for a behaviour-based question? To help prepare for behaviour-based questions: Review relevant frameworks, skills and competencies essential to your prospective profession. Identify related personal experiences to start building your library of experiences you want to pull from in your responses. Consider reflecting on: What you did Why you did what you did What options you considered What you learned from the experience How you would handle things differently in hindsight. | Info |
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STAR approachThe “STAR Approach” (Development Dimensions International, n.d.) is a useful technique for answering behaviour-based questions: Situation: Provide background and context Task: Describe what you needed to do Action: Explain what actions you took and how you did it Result: Describe the outcomes of your actions
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| title | Difficult conversations |
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Difficult conversation questions will prompt you to share how you would deliver bad news or handle an uncomfortable conversation. Examples: How would you communicate a cancer diagnosis to a 65-year-old patient? If you hit another vehicle with your car, what would you say to the other driver? Difficult conversation questions provide an opportunity to demonstrate your interpersonal communication. You will be evaluated on how well you demonstrate your skill set, rather than on solving the problem. How do I prepare for a difficult conversation question?If you find frameworks helpful to structure your responses: practice with friends, family and peers so you feel comfortable in an interview review frameworks for sharing bad news. (e.g., SPIKES model and effective listening strategies for uncomfortable conversations).
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SPIKES model (Sandrick, K.1998) The SPIKES model for delivering bad news was developed by Robert Buckman, MD, Associate Professor of Medical Oncology, University of Toronto and modified from the original version. Setting  - where you as healthcare professional sit in relation to patient/family members; create best physical circumstances Perception  - why here today: as you know we have done some tests; ask before tell to get patient’s understanding of medical situation Invitation  - how much does the patient want to know? e.g. “how would you like me to provide information about your test results?” Some prefer the big picture and some prefer every small detail; let patient ask questions Knowledge - (physician tells “bad” news: don’t tell them they have cancer immediately — use “tumour” first; did I answer your questions? Empathy  - listen for and identify emotions of patient and identify cause, validate patient’s feelings and expressions, offer resources and other support Summary - summarize discussion
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| title | Critical thinking and ethical questions |
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Critical thinking and ethical questions are designed to let the interviewer see how you think as you walk through a complex problem that doesn’t have a clear answer. Examples: Should Canada have presumed consent for organ donation? You are a student working in a free clinic. After reviewing the scheduling for the day, you notice some appointment times are double-booked. Discuss the scheduling with the receptionist.
How do I prepare for an ethical or critical thinking question?Ethical and critical thinking questions can be complex. There are various ways to prepare for these types of questions. You might: Identify how you like to work through a problem Review common ethical scenarios in your field Search for critical thinking/ethical questions and practice responding out loud in a structured way
While responding to ethical or critical thinking questions, it may be helpful to: Summarize the question in your own words to help the interviewer understand your sense of the question Identify missing information or state assumptions or note the key issue to narrow the scope of the question Structure the response to systemically work through the factors and perspectives Incorporate information from other sources when applicable (personal experiences, articles, class content) Propose a new initiative, training or information gathering mechanism that could improve your suggested solution Summarize your response with a clear decision
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Ways to organize your response to ethical and critical thinking questionsPESTLE model (Wood, n.d.) Political: government interventions, tax considerations and policy initiatives Economic: cost in time and money Social:cultural considerations, health consciousness, population growth and social determinants Technological: R&D activities, automation and innovation Legal:legal implications Environmental/Ethical: weather, climate change, tourism and/or ethical considerations
CARVE model, developed by Eric H. Gampel (McClean, 2019)Consequences: what are the potential consequences of the solution? Autonomy: how fully does the solution preserve the right to choose? Rights: how does the solution affect the rights of the stakeholders? Values: how well does the solution uphold personal or organizational values? Equality: how well does the solution promote equality? Is the solution just?
ABCDE model (Levine, 1994)Autonomy: how fully does the solution preserve the right to choose? Beneficence: does the solution provide the greatest benefit to the affected parties? Confidentiality:how well are principles of confidentiality preserved by the solution? Do no harm: how well is the principle of do no harm upheld by the solution? Equality, Equity or Justice (justice): how well does the solution promote equality/equity? Is the solution just?
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| title | Ethical scenario/situational interview questions |
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Ethical scenario/situational interview questions ask what you would do in a hypothetical situation. These types of questions evaluate your interpersonal skills and fit for the profession based on your approach to a hypothetical situation. To answer a situational question well, you will need to describe your actions in detail, including: What options you would consider What past experiences you would draw on in the situation What you would do and why, and the outcome of your actions
How do I prepare for an ethical scenario/situational interview question?To help prepare for these types of interview questions: Reflect on your experiences, particularly your past handling of difficult situations. Identify how you like to work through a problem. Research possible questions online and practice responding according to your interview’s known conventions. Practice summarizing the question in your own words and identifying missing information or assumptions - this will help to contextualize your responses.
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Tip: Asking questionsIf there is an opportunity to ask your own questions in the interview, ask away! This is an opportunity to show your interest in the program, school and interviewers, as well as gather information to help in your decision-making. It is recommended that you ask questions that you are genuinely interested in, that are not easy to answer elsewhere (e.g. not available online), and that create opportunities for your interviewers to talk about their perspectives or experiences. For example: If you’re struggling with the idea of specialization, consider asking how your interviewer chose a specialty. If you’re interested in finding community on campus, consider asking how your interviewer got involved. |
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| title | Current events or Knowledge stations |
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This station draws on your knowledge of healthcare to answer a question about policy or current events. These questions could be based on a wide variety of trends and topics. Examples: If you could recommend one change to the Canadian health care system, what would it be and why? Compare and contrast the Canadian and American health care systems.
How do I prepare for a knowledge station?You might already know more than you think; review some common questions like the examples listed above and work through your answer based on what you know right now. You may also want to add some current events, podcasts, documentaries or readings to your interview preparation schedule. Other students have shared it is helpful to: State the issue and why it is an issue. You might share what you’re basing your recommendations on and or what type of research you’ve done on the issue already. Include ideas or initiatives to improve the issue. You might share how you think these suggestions could help advance change. Discuss actions and implications. Depending on the issue, you might share possible financial implications; benefits and challenges to social or environmental concerns. End with a summary statement.
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| title | Acting/Role play stations |
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It is a station where you interact with one or more actors. There will also be an observer evaluating your behaviour. Acting questions evaluate your interpersonal skills and fit for the profession based on your approach to a situation. Examples: Your roommate, Alex, hasn’t done their share of dishes and constantly leaves their belongings around the common areas of your apartment. Their room is starting to smell from leftover food and dishes. Your company needs both you and your colleague, Carter, from another branch of the company, to attend a critical business meeting in San Diego. You have just arrived to Carter’s office to meet with them first and then take them to the airport.
How do I prepare for an acting/role play station?Practice with friends, family and peers. Ask open questions like “how can I help” and “how are you feeling” Use closed questions like “when did this happen” and “has this happened before” to get specific information Strive to identify the underlying issue or motivator
During the MMI, there will be an observer in the room. Remember to interact only with the actor. |
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| title | Collaboration stations |
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In this station, you will work with another candidate to complete a task. There will be one or more observers who will grade your station. You may also be asked to give feedback to the other candidate. Examples: Guide your partner to draw the image you are given. At the end of the station, you will be given time to provide feedback to one another. Your partner will guide you through a task. At the end of the station, you will be given time to provide feedback to one another. Collaboration stations evaluate your ability to work with others and adapt the way you communicate information. You will not be evaluated based on your ability to complete a given task. How do I prepare for a collaboration station?Practice with as many different people as you can. The more data you have about how people handle collaboration puzzles, the better you are at adapting during the interview. Remember to: Describe the task to your partner, or ask to have it described to you Strategize with your partner about how to complete the task Discuss any possible difficulties or problems Provide step-by-step instructions on completing the task Check that your instructions were clear and ask when to move on
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In a debate station, you will be assigned a perspective on an issue and debate with another candidate. Often, you will give feedback on your performance or the other candidate’s performance after the debate. Example: The Olympics are a waste of money. Candidate 1 agrees. Candidate 2 disagrees. Defend your position to the other candidate. How do I prepare for a debate station?Ask your friends to debate with you and practice listening carefully to their points and responding. What is this part of the interview evaluating? Debate stations evaluate how well you interact and communicate with others. Stay focused on the issue and acknowledge your debate partner’s points. When you evaluate the debate, provide positive feedback and tips for what could have worked better. |
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| title | Pilot and Rest stations |
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Pilot stationsPilot stations test future MMI content. They won't be identified as pilot stations. Don’t panic if you’re asked to label a diagram, respond to a data set, add words to comic bubbles or do something else you weren’t expecting. Rest stationsYou can rest, get a drink of water and possibly talk to a current student at the rest station. The rest station can throw you off during the MMI as it can distract you from the flow of the interview; don’t rehash your previous stations or try to predict which questions will be next. Take a drink, stay calm and be ready to move to your next station at the signal. References |
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References |
Development Dimensions International Inc. (n.d.). STAR method. https://www.ddiworld.com/solutions/behavioral-interviewing/star-method Levine, D. (1994). Physician-patient communication in the urban clinical setting. Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine, 71(2), 188-193. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2359272/pdf/bullnyacadmed01039-0058.pdf McClean, D.E. (2019, October 5). How to make an ethical decision in your business, organization, or public office (Part 1 of 3). LinkedIn Pulse. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-make-ethical-decision-your-business-organization-1-david-e-/ Sandrick, K. (1998). Codified principles enhance physician/patient communication. Bulletin of the American College of Surgeons, 83(11), 13-17. Wood, A. (n.d.). What is a PESTLE analysis? A complete PESTLE analysis guide. OnStrategy. https://onstrategyhq.com/resources/pestle-analysis/