How would principles like autonomy and quality of life influence your decision-making when treating elderly patients with severe neurological disease?
Specialty-Specific
Purpose
This question checks how well you understand ethical decision-making in tough situations, especially for vulnerable elderly patients. Interviewers want to see if you can balance patient autonomy and quality of life when making treatment choices.
Tips
- Acknowledge that these decisions are complex and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.
- Emphasize the importance of respecting the patient's wishes, even if they differ from your medical opinion.
- Discuss how you would define quality of life based on the patient's values and what matters most to them.
Common mistakes
- Don't come off as paternalistic; avoid saying you know best and should override patient wishes.
- Don't focus solely on extending life without considering the patient's quality of life.
- Avoid sounding cold or overly clinical; show empathy and understanding in your response.