If a patient’s depression is exacerbated by housing instability and unemployment, how do you incorporate these factors into your treatment plan?
Specialty-Specific
Purpose
This question checks if you understand that mental health is influenced by social factors like housing and jobs. Interviewers want to see if you can think beyond just treating symptoms and consider the whole person.
Tips
- Acknowledge how social issues impact mental health and show a holistic understanding.
- Describe a detailed treatment plan that includes collaboration with social workers and community resources.
- Emphasize patient involvement in setting goals and addressing their social challenges.
Common mistakes
- Don't dismiss social factors as outside your role; they are crucial to mental health.
- Avoid just listing referrals without explaining how you'll actively collaborate with others.
- Don't express helplessness; always outline proactive steps you can take to support the patient.