PREPARING FOR your medicine interview

Types of interviews: MMI/panel What are they looking for? What to prepare How to prepare On the day Topical issues

Types of interviews MMI Panel “Traditional” interview questions Role play Other communication tasks Panel Traditional interview questions Questions on an article?

What are they looking for? Good communication skills Shake hands with interviewer Eye contact (but not too much) Smile Active listening Evidence of teamwork (leadership and team player) Commitment Enthusiasm for medicine Ability to balance academic success with co-curricular activities Ethical scenarios: process of thinking about it > definitive answer Be yourself!

What to prepare (1) Personal statement Why you want to study medicine Things to know: Personal statement Why you want to study medicine About the medical school and the course Core qualities of a doctor GMC, Tomorrow’s Doctors, Good Medical Practice About post-grad training

What to prepare (2) Other things to think about: The multidisciplinary healthcare team and who is in it The NHS Ethics

How to prepare Research the course and medical school thoroughly Visit the medical school Practise speaking/answering questions With someone else In front of mirror Read medical journals and keep up to date with the news Questions on the internet Useful resources: BMA, GMC, Tomorrow’s doctors, Medical school prospectus/websites, BBC News Health

On the day Dress smartly (but comfortably) Be organised the night before- documentation, packed lunch if needed, timings and travel arrangements Try to relax! Chat to the other applicants waiting for their interviews if this helps put you at ease MMIs: When you finish one station, put it out of your mind and move on. During the interview consider your responses to questions, take some time to think about your answer Try to avoid “umm” and “like”

Some topical issues “Many young weight-loss surgery patients 'super-obese’.” “Nearly 40% of under-25s who have weight-loss surgery in the UK are classified as super-obese, according to new figures.” “Surgeons say this is evidence of "a clear failure of strategies to prevent weight gain in young people".” BBC News Health, 10/11/14 “Opening of private medical school concerns student leaders” BMA News £35,000 per year Outwith UCAS

The case of Nancy Fitzmaurice – mother fought to end severely disabled daughter’s life “It shouldn't have to be a mother's decision to end their child's life, doctors should be able to take that away from you.” Charlotte Fitzmaurice Thoughts?