Tell me about a time you worked on a difficult diagnostic case. How did you handle uncertainty?
Specialty-Specific
Purpose
This question is all about seeing how you think through complex cases and deal with uncertainty. Interviewers want to know if you can be a 'diagnostic detective' and how you approach tricky situations.
Tips
- Use the STAR-L method: share a specific Situation, your Task, the Actions you took, the Result, and what you Learned.
- Highlight your thought process: explain how you gathered information, created a differential diagnosis, and managed uncertainty.
- Reflect on your experience: share what you learned about diagnostic reasoning and handling ambiguity.
Common mistakes
- Don't pick a simple case; it should be challenging and complex.
- Avoid just listing facts; focus on your process and how you tackled the uncertainty.
- Don't express frustration or give up; show how you stayed methodical and proactive.