Page Comparison

Interview accommodations: If you have an accommodations request, please contact the program directly and/or review the program website or the interview invitation for further information

The “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

• Learn more tips about using the “STAR approach”.

The SPIKES model is used for delivering bad news and 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.

_{(Sandrick, K.1998)}

PESTLE model

• 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.

_{(Wood, n.d.)}

ABCDE model

• 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?

_{(Levine, 1994)}

General interview questions ask about your goals, characteristics, fit with the program, past experiences and coping skills.

How do I prepare for a general interview question?

Reflect on your experiences, growth and motivation for the profession Review possible questions online and practice responding according to your interview’s known conventions.

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.

References