Suppose an implant representative strongly encourages you to use a particular device or procedure. How would you respond to ensure your decision remains patient-centered and free of inappropriate influence?
Specialty-Specific
Purpose
This question is all about ethics and professionalism in orthopaedics. Interviewers want to see if you can handle industry pressure while keeping the patient's best interests at heart.
Tips
- Acknowledge the potential for influence and the ethical challenge it presents.
- Make it clear that your decision will focus on what's best for the patient, not the sales pitch.
- Discuss how you'll evaluate the device using independent research and consultations with unbiased colleagues.
Common mistakes
- Don't just accept the rep's claims without doing your own research.
- Avoid saying you trust the reps completely; that shows a lack of critical thinking.
- Steer clear of focusing on benefits for you, like making surgery easier or faster.