REFERENCES POUR LES MEMs

[Marvelous]

Bonjour, je cherche des references pour aider a me preparer pour les MEMs.

Que suggerez-vous?

Je planifie de faire la lecture et de pratiquer en groupe.

J'ai aussi du mal a trouver des livres en francais aussi, donc si vous aviez des suggestions, SVP partagez-les, cest tres apprecie.

 

Aussi, merci future_doc pour tes links

[Marvelous]

http://www.premed101.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48582

[future_doc]

I think I have already provided the information on the MEMFI in the sticky, including how you are marked.

 

Generally, for a current events question, you will be given a choice so you are not locked in to just one question.

 

Then, there are the acting stations where you feed off either other.

 

I suggest that everybody find one or more video skype partners for practice MEMFI with people who are presently unknow to either other and you simulate the real thing, i.e., you make up your own acting stations and questions which you show to the interviewee 2 minutes before the mock MEMFI Station. Then you both appear on video skype and it continues for 7 minutes. The interviewer gives a constructive critique for areas of improvement, states how the interviewee did and why.

 

Immediately thereafter, the previous interviewee becomes the interviewer.

 

You each do a max of 2 stations each, 4 in all on any given day. Perhaps one acting station for each and one question for each every time you practice, perhaps every 2 or 3 days. In this manner, you will be spontaneous and comfortable with the format under similar conditions.

[future_doc]

You are a member of a community association interested in preventing prostitution in your residential area as this brings many undesirables into your community which is not in the interests of the children. In order to prevent such traffic in your area, your group is stopping cars of people who have no business in the area from driving through and hocking up with the prostitutes in their cars. The prostitutes have anonymously called in the police to stop such actions on your part. You enter into a discussion with the senior policeman present to make your case and solicit his cooperation.

 

Discuss one of the three choices: the coming of democracy in Berma; the increased level of violence in Iraq and/or Afghanistan; the reasons behind the student strike in Quebec.

 

What is an example of a weakness that you suffered from and overcame.

 

Why are you more suitable to medicine than another healthcare profession and describe your attributes that make you a suitable candidate for medical school.

 

There is an open meeting of the Town Council where they are considering granting a permit to demolish an old building in your community that is presently being used to keep the youth engaged and off the streets. The Town recognizes that a new office building there would create needed revenues for the town. You have an opportunity to enter into a public dialogue woith the Mayor at this meeting.

[Marvelous]

Thank you so much!

[feversugar]

Just to take off a little bit of stress, I don't actually think it matters if you don't know current events. I had ONE station at the MEMFI about that and I had no idea what they were talking about and actually just asked the person so summarize the big lines (I HAVE NO SHAME!!!). Then I just started talking and still got accepted to all schools

[future_doc]

You are personable persuasive and an excellent communicator.

 

We need greater contributions from you as an untapped resource for those coming up behind us. What a role model!

 

At the MEMFI, I too didn't have a clue - but I didn't realize it. I entirely misunderstood a question, gave a complete answer, departed happily and learned later that I got a zero at that station. But I got in anyhow.

[future_doc]

Thank you so much!

 

I believe @ Part II of my Sticky (link found below in my signature) at the medical school interview forum, I have loads of MEMFI type questions.

 

You do not need to over-practice, simply get into the zone. When you walk into the MEMFI have a postive attitude that you are going to have fun, be yourself and be flexible. Then, just let nature take its course. And in the acting stations, you feed off each other, so you very much must go with the flow.

[20333333]

question to future doc

When you say it's a good thing to be flexible do you mean that we should consider the other person's arguments and maybe change our mind when discussing a subject. Cause I've heard that it's better not to do that and remain with your opinion if they try to make you change your mind.

 

thanks a lot for all you're answers!

Are you studying MD in McGill?

[Robin Hood]

question to future doc

When you say it's a good thing to be flexible do you mean that we should consider the other person's arguments and maybe change our mind when discussing a subject. Cause I've heard that it's better not to do that and remain with your opinion if they try to make you change your mind.

 

thanks a lot for all you're answers!

Are you studying MD in McGill?

 

They don't want you to change your mind, just to be able to defend your position, but you shouldn't look stubborn.

future_doc is at a French school.

[future_doc]

question to future doc

When you say it's a good thing to be flexible do you mean that we should consider the other person's arguments and maybe change our mind when discussing a subject. Cause I've heard that it's better not to do that and remain with your opinion if they try to make you change your mind.

 

thanks a lot for all you're answers!

 

As regards "flexibility", as you are aware, in life, we must adapt to changing circumstances. What I mean is that when going for the MEMFI, you need to be adaptable quickly to each station and the scenario thrown at you. So, walk in with an open mind and be prepared for anything that they throw at you. For example, I gava above an action scenario of going to a town council meeting and discussing with the mayor why you believe that it is more important to keeep the old building as the place where youth are kept active and busy instead of tearing it down so it can be replaced with an office building that will produce increased tax revenue for the town.

 

My approach would be to explain to the mayor that his first responsibility is to the people of the town, to make the town livable for its citizens, which includes its children. Children represent our future and are our most important resource, far more important than money. And it is the responsibility of all and especially the community leaders that includes the mayor to protect the citizens. By keeping the building and giving community volunteers this place to keep the youth actively engaged and able to channel their energies productively so as to become contributing members of society, this is so much better than letting our kids fall between the cracks, become delinquents, break into homes and businesses, cause untold damages and let the children enter our detention system at tremendous financial cost to the community. As role members and contributing members of society our leaders in partictular have a moral and ethical obligation to sa ve our children, who, in a sense are our capital and are far more important than the dollar sign. I would then argue that these children would become productive parents who will guide their children in turn and a ripple effect that is positive will result for society.

 

In other words, when a scenario is thrown at you, you need to be a critical and ethical problem solver who is persuasive in painting the big picture.

 

Certainly DEFEND your position with persuasive arguments, don't submit and lose your case under the wieght of argument. Stand up for what you believe in.

[Nixon]

J'ajouterais à ce qui a été dit que certaines stations sont conçues pour vérifier si vous êtes capable de maintenir votre opinion et de la défendre de façon correcte. Il y a deux ans, l'une des stations impliquait que vous (qui jouiez le rôle de l'externe) devait ou non pratiquer une chirurgie d'urgence en l'absence du patron. Le but de la station était de prendre position et d'argumenter. Je me souviens que mon évaluatrice était très catégorique et elle me bombardait de contre-arguments et de questionnements pour m'inciter à changer d'opinion, du genre: ''Si tu ne fais la pas chirurgie, ton patient va mourir. Et ce sera de ta faute parce que c'était ta responsabilité'' OU ''Si tu fais la chirurgie sans l'assistance d'un médecin, tu peux être renvoyé du programme de médecine et tu peux te faire poursuivre!''

 

Bref, stand up for what you believe in

[smthg]

Wow, peut-être mon cours d'éthique va venir à mon secours dans ce genre de questions... j'ai carrément écrit un texte de 8-9 pages sur cette même question la session passée

[future_doc]

J'ajouterais à ce qui a été dit que certaines stations sont conçues pour vérifier si vous êtes capable de maintenir votre opinion et de la défendre de façon correcte. ...... Je me souviens que mon évaluatrice était très catégorique et elle me bombardait de contre-arguments et de questionnements pour m'inciter à changer d'opinion.....

 

Bref, stand up for what you believe in

 

Oui, je me souviens bien aussi. J’avais pas le droit légal d’opérer sans le chirurgien present, mais il n'était pas disponible. Notre éthique et le jugement a également été examinée. These scenarios on the surface may seem troubling although they are not for an ethical thinker of sound judgment who can argue his case well and keep focus despite logical and compassionate provocation. And as Nixon says, "stand up for what you believe in".

 

Quoting briefly from my sticky, MEMFI - A Possible Blueprint to Solving Problems Raised in Each Scenario

 

Assess the facts in terms of what is normally expected, including social & legal standards and norms of responsible conduct, look to ripple effects to persons involved, their family, the institution involved if any, society, including others in similar circumstances

 

Diagnose the moral and other problems. Determine what the parties believe to have happened and the impact upon them

 

Determine the purpose of this scenario for you

 

Consider what, if any, ethical considerations are involved as between the parties and wider society, and how these issues may be addressed by persons in authority

 

Determine what, if any, legal, bioethical or medical ethics problems or practical problems exist. Consider these as unexpressed facts in your analysis to come to a satisfactory or creative solution

 

Consider and discuss:

 

the options of actions of the participants and authorities

 

fully the ethical principles for each action option and conclude with persuasive argument supporting your plan of attack

 

Establish and discuss the goal you set for resolution of the ethical problem. Convince them that your plan of action (decision) will be acceptable in resolving the problem on a practical level, while addressing the ethical issues involved.

 

Justify the solution in terms of practicality and ethical considerations – both with the decision made AND the process of reaching and implementing the solution

 

Remember your ability to master a new situation in a time sensitive manner, while considering all factors that are not obvious and maintaining your composure, is what is being assessed.

 

OR

 

DEFINE THE REAL ISSUES, THE PROBLEM

 

STATE THE ETHICAL RULES THAT APPLY

 

APPLY THE RULES TO THE FACTS, TAKING INTO A/C RIPPLE EFFECT

 

REACH A CONCLUSION AND SOLUTION

 

DISCUSS THE ALTERNATIVES AND WHY NOT APPLIED

 

DISCUSS WHY YOUR APPROACH WAS APPROPRIATE

 

DEFEND YOUR POSITION WHEN IT IS ATTACKED

 

I found this some time back and it appears to be good guidance. The interviewers mark you from a ‘structured checklist’ ranging from

“excellent”, “good”, “satisfactory” to “unsatisfactory”. Below is also an additional List of Skills and Behaviours that are specifically marked in one of the below categories:

4=Excellent, 3=Good, 2=Satisfactory, 1=Unsatisfactory Top Score=20

 

- Has a sense of establishing the facts to ensure fairness

 

- Demonstrates an awareness of the dilemma from a range of perspectives

 

- Ability to balance conflicting interests to come to a judgment about what is right

 

- Appreciates the need for students to consider the consequences of personal

behaviours

 

- Is able to draw lessons from experience to inform future learning

 

Excellent shows a degree of originality and creativity, including showing a good appreciation of the general issues in the context of professionalism. There is good coverage of the topic with relevant and reasoned argument. The answers demonstrate a clear view of how the various aspects of the topic relate to one another. There is reasonable evidence of critical reflection on professionalism on both the interviewee and that of others. The answers appear authentic and honest.

 

Good is the same as Excellent without the originality and creativity.

 

Satisfactory the answers are relevant but do not address all aspects of the topic. There is demonstration of understanding of the issue being considered and just enough evidence that a reasonable argument has been advanced. There is evidence of critical reflection on professionalism but the answers are more descriptive than analytical. The answers indicate a modest understanding of the topic but appear authentic and honest.

 

Unsatisfactory the discussion is not always accurate and relevant and key points are missed. The attempt at reasoned argument is of doubtful quality. Strategy is misfired.

 

Strength of your arguments, your communication skills, how you defend your position n/w/s provocation and the interviewer’s overall assessment of your performance and suitability to study of medicine and being a doctor are all factors.

 

Essential characteristics of Applicant:

Show ethical thinking and ethical decision making

Show professionalism, i.e. honesty, compassion, team working, ethical understanding knowledge of health care system Note that your body language is important throughout interview

Bond with Interviewers if possible, in appropriate fashion

Effective communicator – ability to convey your ideas clearly and concisely. Listen to any explanations and statements given throughout the process

Eye contact and shake hands upon entering each MMI

Good interpersonal skills with Interviewers

Always appear calm and in control

Show quiet confidence as a person

Think before opening your mouth

Understanding – know why you are there

Ability to understand the principal issue of the situation and other important issues

Complete the answer before the time runs out

(wear watch in case no clock in sight)

Give an accurate overall portrayal of who you are

Be clear and unambiguous in your answers

Time Management is of the essence – not all applicants finish all answers. The ability to complete the task in a timely manner demonstrates an important skill

Maturity

Show no nervousness or anxiety no matter what

 

Behaviours having the following attributes:

*Responsibility

*Integrity – having moral courage and honesty, being deserving of trust

*Sensitivity to the needs of others – kindness, empathy, understanding, benevolence,

recognizing the physical and emotional vulnerabilities of others in situations

*Understanding the difficulties of others

*Responding sensitively and appropriately to situations given

*Empathy

*Seeing the larger picture and the impact of the situation upon others of similar or other vulnerabilities and upon the great community, seeing how to create practical or innovative solutions

*Insight

*Information Manager – sift the information given so as to focus on solutions to all issues, including those not apparent on the surface

*Effective Decision maker – being able to identify the problem, break it down and to identify the steps in problem solving

*Self-directed Learner – Inquiring mind to further knowledge and skills

*Ability to make a shared plan – your solution may involve cooperation of many parties for its success

*Understanding of health professionals in society

*Explanation in Context – as a communicator, Interviewers must know clearly why you have come to the decisions you have made, leave nothing for granted

*Ability to make shared plan in best interests of patient

 

People who will, in their professional relationships:

Take responsibility for their actions

Act ethically

Act in a congenial and collaborative manner

Be reflexive

Be reliable

Be trustworthy and honest

Demonstrate respect for others

Have commitment to help others

Maintain confidences

 

Mental processes that include:

Ability to summarize your position as your first statements

Ability to assimilate and evaluate information in time sensitive fashion

Critical problem solving abilities in time sensitive manner

Prioritize and manage solutions in a sensible fashion

Ability to communicate decisions to others in appropriate manner

Ability to defend your position or ideas expressed – be prepared for interviewers to rigorously challenge you

Ability to apply your general knowledge

[future_doc]

Wow, peut-être mon cours d'éthique va venir à mon secours dans ce genre de questions... j'ai carrément écrit un texte de 8-9 pages sur cette même question la session passée

 

ABSOLUTELY!

[future_doc]

With regards to the MMI, I think I did very well on the MMI because I expressed a pretty solid grasp of psychosocial aspect of ethics. Whenever I was asked something about what I would do, instead of saying that I would do "X", I said it depends on the context. E.g. If the question asked about a family where the mom and the dad were divided on whether or not to fund for their kids' tuition... and was asked who's side I would take... instead of saying I would help "X" because of "Y"...I talked about how it depends on the cultural background of the family and then expanded on that by talking about the difference between Eastern (more holistic and family oriented) and Western cultures (promote independence)...and talked about how I'd have to take into consideration the family dynamics and beliefs blah blah blah. So I often answered questions bearing in mind the importance of culture, psychology, resource allocation, etc.

 

In another MMI station where two interviewees had to cooperate to build a block figure together under a time limit, I did horrible...we didn't complete any figures together. BUT, the important thing from that station (imo) was not necessarily looking at just how well you cooperate with others...or how patient you are... but whether you are able to see what you did wrong. The questions asked for that station were something like...what did you do well in? What did you do bad in? Why? And I talked about how I was good at being patient and calm in a more stressful situation, clear at giving instructions, asked for feedback, etc. but wasn't able to realize the importance of recognizing that the framework that I had used to go about the task didn't work for the other person and thus use a different method to better communicate with the other person.

 

Be calm. In a lot of my MMI answers, I mentioned short-term and long-term solutions. E.g. There was a quote said by Edison and I had to say what the role and responsibilities of doctors were. I made sure that I interpreted the quote...talking about medicine was being more individualized, how medicine was steering towards preventive measures while maintaining the importance of curative approaches, how medicine was steering towards taking a comprehensive approach to health emotionally, mentally and physically, bla bla bla. And I remember one of the follow up questions was something about HOW the role of a doctor would change in the future... and I talked about their greater role in advocacy and education bla bla bla.

 

MEMFI Type Questions:

 

1. You are shift supervisor at McDonalds fast food restaurant. The owner of the franchise has called you over. He is very upset as he has received 3 complaints in the last 30 minutes about the meat in the hamburgers being poorly cooked. There are two people (one male, one female both 15 years old) who have been cooking the meat for the past two hours. The female is the owner’s daughter. How would you handle the situation?

 

2. You need to answer either A or B. A: You are in third year med school and discover that a classmate is a serious cocaine abuser. How do you deal with this situation? B: You are writing your provincial licencing examine to become a physician with the right to practice. You discover and have 100% proof that another writing the exam has cheated. How do you deal with the situation?

 

3. Your older sister tells you that she values her career and is reluctant to take time away to have a baby. Her husband agrees with her. They have arranged to conceive an embryo through in vitro fertilization. A company in India will implant the embryo in a surrogate mother from a nearby village who will be paid $5,000. Two weeks after the baby is born, the company will deliver the baby to your sister and her husband. Your mother is opposed to this arrangement whereas your father supports her decision. Your sister asks for your support. How would you respond to your sister?

 

4. Your best friend is an identical twin. The other twin has been sick with a variety of illnesses most of their lives. Several times, the other twin has been so ill that your best friend has supplied tissue (e.g., blood, bone marrow) sometimes to help their sibling stay alive. The other twin now needs a kidney transplant to stay alive. Their parents have assumed that your best friend will automatically donate the kidney as usual when tissue has been needed. However, your friend is now balking at this automatic assumption of donation and is considering saying ‘no’. What would you say to your friend to convince him to donate the kidney?

 

5. Your best friend and partner are undergoing in vitro fertilization to have a baby. The technique allows for the selection of certain characteristics for the child by identifying them in the embryo before implantation. Your friend asks for advice on the characteristics they should select. How would you respond to your friend?

 

6. In the City of Plymouth in England, the City Council has introduced a maximum speed limit for all vehicles of 30km/h (previous limit was 50km/h) within city limits because this will reduce the number and severity of traffic accidents. The city councilors in Quebec City wish to introduce the same restriction. Would you support such a policy here in Quebec City?

 

7. Your friend is of Chinese descent and fluent in Mandarin. You both want to get into medicine. She registers for Mandarin 101, a course in Chinese language for beginners. The course coordinator asks that students who can already speak just a little bit of Mandarin should leave because this is a course for beginners. Your friend remains but makes a sufficient number of deliberate mistakes in the classroom discussions, in the required homework and in the examinations that she will not be detected and yet still receive an excellent grade. What would you do in this situation?

 

8. Your friend tells you that a piece of expensive electronic equipment he had bought for $3000 just two weeks ago had stopped working. The store where he bought it had a 7-day return policy. Your friend goes to the store, buys a new piece of equipment and then returns the old damaged equipment in its place for a full refund. The store is owned by your uncle who is struggling to keep the business going. How would you deal with the situation?

 

9. If the Premier of Quebec were to ask your advice on one change that could be applied to the healthcare system in Quebec that would improve it enormously and have the greatest positive effect, what would it be?

 

10. The daughter of the interviewer is 16 years old. She is adamant that she have a tattoo next week. The interviewer is against letting her daughter have a tattoo and this is causing much friction in the household. What advice would you give the interviewer?

 

11. At the beginning of your last year of undergraduate studies, the Dean of your Faculty has offered to all of you the opportunity to swallow a ‘red’ pill. If swallowed, this pill would increase enormously your ability to ‘absorb’ all the educational material being presented to you in all your courses. In fact, this pill would basically guarantee that you would receive an A+ in all your future courses with a significantly reduced workload. Would you take the red pill?

 

12. The man who lives next door to you often rides his bicycle in the company of his two young children but without a helmet. In fact, on several occasions you have seen him riding with his helmet hanging by its straps from the handlebars. His young children sometimes wear a helmet, sometimes not. If the man fell off his bicycle and hurt his head in a way that would have been prevented if he had worn a helmet, would it be reasonable to ask him to contribute towards the treatment cost for his injury?

 

13. In his recent novel ‘I am Charlotte Simmons’, Tom Wolfe bases on life at a typical university in North America. He develops various characters and describes their lives, surroundings, beliefs, and moral behaviour while they are at the university. Wolfe acknowledges that it is 40 years since he himself was a student at university. Consequently, his children, currently at university, read the drafts of the book as it was been written and ensured that the descriptions associated with life at this fictitious university were appropriate for the modern day. What changes to the original script do you think Wolfe’s children made?

 

14. Imagine your friend’s father is 70 years old and has lived in Edmonton his whole life. He is taken to the emergency department at the University of Alberta Hospital. He has had good health until now and this is the first time he has been to hospital of any kind since he was 20 years old. What changes in the healthcare system and environment in the hospital do you think he would notice?

 

15. Class Size (Critical Thinking) Universities are commonly faced with the complicated task of balancing the educational needs of their students and the cost required to provide learning resources to a large number of individuals. As a result of this tension, there has been much debate regarding the optimal size of classes. One side argues that smaller classes provide a more educationally effective setting for students, while others argue that it makes no difference, so larger classes should be used to minimize the number of instructors required. Discuss your opinion with the examiner

 

16. Circumcision (Ethical Decision Making) The Canadian Pediatric Association has recommended that circumcisions ‘not be routinely performed’. They base this recommendation on their determination that ‘the benefits have not been shown to to clearly outweigh the risks and costs’. Doctors have no obligation to refer for, or provide, a circumcision, but many do, even when they are clearly not medically necessary. Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) no longer pays for unnecessary circumcisions. Consider the ethical problems that exist in this case. Discuss these issues with the Interviewer.

 

17. Standard Interview. Why do you want to be a physician? Discuss this question with the interviewer.

 

18. Deterrent Fees (Knowledge of the Health Care System) Recently, the Prime Minister of Canada raised the issue of deterrent fees (a small charge, say $10, which everyone who initiates a visit to a health professional would have to pay at the first contact) as a way to control health care costs. The assumption is that this will deter people from visiting their doctor for unnecessary reasons. Consider the broad implication of this policy for health and healthy carecosts. For example, do you think this approach will save health care costs? At what expense? Discuss this issue with the interviewer.

 

19. Placebo (Ethical Decision Making) Dr. Cheung recommends homeopathic medicines to his patients. There is no scientific evidence or widely accepted theory to suggest that homeopathic medicines work, and Dr. Cheung doesn’t believe them to. He recommends homeopathic medicine to people with mild and non-specific symptoms such as fatigue, headaches and muscle aches, because he believes that it will do no harm, but will give them reassurance. Consider the ethical problems that Dr. Cheung ‘s behaviour might pose. Discuss these issues with the interviewer.

 

20. Student Created Mock Questions. A man has been responsible for taking care of his wife who is in a vegetative state for 6 years after a car accident She can breathe on her own but that is the extent of her abilities. He requests that her feeding tube be removed. What should you, as her physician do?

 

21. A student is working in a clinic, where the office double book aboriginal patients. The student asks their reasoning and the receptionist replies that “These people never show up for their appointments.” How would you deal with this situation?

 

22. You are working on a group project with 5 other students. One of the students doesn’t show up for meetings or if they do show up - they are late and leave early. They have put no effort into the group project but show up on the day of the presentation and try to take credit for the project. What do you do in this situation?

 

23. Mrs. Jones has signed a donor card indicating that she is willing to donate her body to science without notifying her husband and son. She gets into an accident and it is determined that she is brain dead. The family doctor, who is on call that afternoon, reviews the chart and determines that she would be perfect for medical students to practice the removal of organs for transplantation purposes. The doctor then talks to the family to discuss the procedure and to confirm their consent. They both oppose the procedure and refuse to allow their doctor to move forward. The doctor points out that Mrs. Jones could be helping hundreds of people by educating the medical students and that technically consent has already been provided. The husband understands how beneficial the educational experience is but is too emotional to allow them to continue. The son, a medical student, refuses because he knows the bodies are not treated with dignity. If you were the doctor, how would you proceed? Why?

 

24. You are spending your evening as a volunteer in the hospital. It is late and you see a number of staff duck into the supply closet with an empty bag and reappear in a few minutes with it appearing full. You have heard other staff members discussing that supplies are missing on a regular basis that can not be accounted for. After observing the actions of the other staff members, what do you do?

 

25. You are a second year student shadowing a doctor in the O.R. Once the patient, an obese female has been given general anesthetic and the procedure is under way the doctors start to make comments about her weight and call her names that you find inappropriate but most of all unprofessional. Do you talk to the doctor about his comments or do you keep your comments to yourself? Why?

 

26. Two patients need a liver transplant, but there is only one liver available at the time. Tell the interviewer how you would decide between a 64 year old politician who happens to be an alcoholic or, a 26 year old mother of three who is on welfare.

 

27. You are part of a committee to decide where the money for health care in our province is spent. It is your turn to inform the committee of your opinion on what you think is the single most important area requiring funding.

 

28. Discuss the social, legal, medical implications of a needle-exchange program with the interviewer. Follow up question: What are some viable alternatives?

 

29. You tell a mother her two year old child has leukemia, but she refuses chemo but insists upon seeing her family physician who is a naturopath. What do you tell her, how do you handle this so that you may continue to have some influence as regards the treatment of her child? [The child’s life is in the balance as the naturopath will be unable to save the child’s life and you have an obligation to your patient, the child, who cannot make an informed decision. In pediatrics, its beneficence and “the rule of rescue” that takes precedence.

 

30. Tasers are under greater public scrutinty. What are the medical, public health, public policy, legal and practical issues involved? What is your position as regards the use of tasers by public officials and in the private sector?

 

31. What is the role of Electronic Record Management in the management and care of patients in the public and private sector now and in the future?

 

32. You learn from your best friend that she was involved in a hit and run accident one night when she had too much to drink and had hit a person crossing the street. She feels badly about this incident. What do you do if anything?

 

33. You discover that your boyfriend has a substance abuse problem. His conduct has never been influenced by this since you have been together. How do you handle this?

 

34. A friend has accessed your laptop and discovered your draft for an essay that is due by you both who are taking the same course. How do you handle this?

 

35. You witness two girls hitting a homeless woman and taking items that belong to her. The victim has only a bleeding nose. You approach her after the incident and she tells you she is fine, this has happened before by the same girls and it is no big deal. How do you deal with it?

 

36. A patient has just been diagnosed with cancer. The patient takes the news very badly and is concerned with pain and the immediate treatment. You know that is it extremely likely that the patient will die within 9 months regardless of course of treatment. What do you tell the patient, what are your ethical obligations, your legal obligations?

[future_doc]

1. Why do you want to be a doctor and why should you be selected?

 

2. What are your 2 best points? Examples please.

 

3. What are your 2 weakest points? Examples please.

 

4. What do you think will be your greatest challenge in completing med school

or learning how to be a doctor?

 

5. In your view, what is the most pressing problem facing medicine today?

 

6. What steps have you taken to overcome your major weakness, which is?

 

7. If you could do anything different in your education, what would it be?

 

8. Tell me about yourself.

 

9. Why would you be a good doctor?

 

10. What are your major strengths that would contribute to you being a good doctor?

 

11. What do you feel are the most important qualities in being a good doctor?

 

12. What are your hobbies and how have they helped you develop?

 

13. Are you a leader or a follower? Why?

 

14. What exposure have you had to the medical profession?

 

15. Discuss your clinical experiences.

 

16. Discuss your volunteer work.

 

17. What do you think you will like most about medicine?

 

18. What do you think you will like least about medicine?

 

19. Expect questions about what you think about ethics and healthcare

(e.g., abortion, cloning, euthanasia, purchasing body parts for transplant, etc)

 

20. Be prepared to discuss weaknesses and strengths of the healthcare system.

 

21. How are you a match for our med school?

 

22. Would you perform abortions as a doctor? Under what conditions?

 

23. What are 3 things you want to change about yourself?

 

24. How would you describe the relationship between science and medicine?

 

25. Which family member or mentor has influenced your life so far and why?

 

26. What are your specific goals in medicine?

 

27. What do you intend to gain from a medical education?

 

28. What steps have you taken to acquaint yourself with what a physician does?

 

29. There are 1,000 applicants as qualified as you. Why should we pick you?

 

30. What do you think about euthanasia?

 

31. What do you think is the most pressing issue in medicine today?

 

32. Do you think a physician should tell a patient he has 8 months to live?

 

33. What will you do if you don’t get into medicine?

 

34. What are your positive qualities and what are your shortcomings?

 

35. What is your relationship with your family?

 

36. Describe your personality.

 

37. What are the best and worst things that ever happened to you?

 

38. What do you see yourself doing in medicine in 10 or 15 years from now?

 

39. Is medicine a rewarding experience? Why?

 

40. If your best friends were to describe you, what would they say?

 

41. What do you think about (some current event)?

 

42. If I’m to talk to the Admissions Committee tomorrow, why should I tell them to

to let you in?

 

43. What are some of the things you will have to give up as a doctor?

 

44. Would you share your religious beliefs with your patients?

 

45. How do you help people who don’t want to be helped?

 

46. In what field do you think the next major advancement in medicine will come?

 

47. Why didn’t you go into social work if you like working with people?

 

48. Would you prefer to provide less effective medicine to more people or more

effective medicine to less people?

 

49. Who is your hero and why?

 

50. How can you tell if someone is truly compassionate?

 

51. What scares you the most about our medical school?

 

52. Why did you apply here?

 

53. Why choose medicine over some other career in health?

 

54. What field of medicine interests you the most?

 

55. What has been your biggest failure and how did you handle it?

 

56. How do you feel about animal research?

 

57. How do you work under pressure? Give an example.

 

58. What have you learned from your failures? Give examples.

 

59. What have you done that shows initiative? What did you gain from that

experience? How were you most/least satisfied with that endeavour?

 

60. Why study medicine when you have so many talents?

 

61. What is the biggest problem facing medicine?

 

62. What is the most important development in the world in the last 25 years?

 

63. What’s your “cause”?

 

64. What are you passionate about?

 

65. How do you respond to criticism? Describe a situation where your work was

criticized. What was your immediate reaction to the situation?

 

66. What type of impression do you feel you’ve left me in this interview?

 

67. Who should definitely not be cloned?

 

68. What is the hardest question you’ve been asked at any interview?

 

69. If you were a car, what kind of car would you be and why?

 

70. Do you think doctors should lie to patients?

 

71. If man colonized the moon and you were chosen to direct the first lunar hospital,

what would be your 3 most important priorities for that hospital?

 

72. If my grandmother walked into your practice and told you that she was ill because

she had a hex placed on her, what would you tell her and how?

 

73. What would you do if you got in everywhere and what would you do if you got

in nowhere?

 

74. Tell me about yourself.

 

75. What is the one thing that distinguishes you from other candidates?

 

76. Describe a situation where you felt like a fish out of water.

 

77. So you like helping others, why not be a policeman?

 

78. What are the negative aspects of being a doctor?

 

79. Are you a friendly person?

 

80. How will your weaknesses play a role in medicine?

 

81. How do you deal with adversity?

 

82. What is the biggest thing you have overcome in life?

 

83. How do you cope with grief?

 

84. Who has been the most influencial in your life? How? What has been the effect?

 

85. What did you most dislike about undergraduate studies?

 

86. I heard that you want to go into medicine for the money, please comment.

 

87. What science classes did you dislike the most?

 

88. What effect does and will science have upon medicine?

 

89. What experience have you had working with people?

 

90. What do you know about our school and program?

 

91. Give a specific medical scenario, how would you treat the patient?

 

92. What are some current controversial areas of medicine? What are your thoughts?

 

93. What makes a good physician?

 

94. Your patient is terminally ill, looks at you with hope, what do you tell him?

 

95. How might you calm a nervous patient?

 

96. What would you do if a superior doctor gave you an order that you know

will harm the patient?

 

97. Your supervising physician comes to work drunk, what do you do?

 

98. Give me an example of how you will handle a stressful situation.

 

99. How do you deal with a patient who treats you badly?

 

100. Tell me about the last time you felt anger on the job.

 

101. What qualities do patients appreciate in doctors? Colleagues?

 

102. Why is research important? What are the benefits of research?

 

103. What would you do if you caught your roommate cheating on his med

school application?

 

104. What do you think of the priority system for organ recipients? And also

the system for allocating money for medicine?

 

105. If somebody was writing a book about you in 15 years, what would you

want to be included in this book?

 

106. Do you think there should be mandatory HIV testing for couples wanting

to be married?

 

107. Discuss a book you have recently read for pleasure. Why does this book

Interest you?

 

108. How do you think your role as a physician fits in with your role as a

member of the community?

 

109. Would you practice in the inner city? What do think happens to people

who practice there (attitude, changes, etc)?

 

110. If there was an accident on the highway, would you stop and help the

victims, knowing that doing so might lead to a malpractice claim against

you?

[smthg]

Thank you future_doc I think I will have some things to do in my free time to prepare for the interview... those are really good questions

[future_doc]

 

Just remember, too much practice can be counterproductive. Do not treat all these questions seriously. The key is to limber up, to prepare your mind with a modest degree of exercise. Then, it is more important to devote quality time with friends and family or simply goof off. This too is essential for preparation. You want to enter the MEMFI excited and enthusiastic, refreshed.

 

BTW, although the dress code in Quebec is the most informal in Canada for these interviews, I highly recommend that you dress professionally as this will help put you in the zone emotionally and psychologically. What does "professionally" mean? Well, dress in a serious manner. e.g., as if going to a funeral;) , to court as a witness, as if you want to make a favourable impression before the interviewer hears you speak.

 

Generally speaking, when people go for a job interview, the first 30 seconds are the most important as the first impression tends to last, i.e., interviewee makes eye contact, smiles, is dressed professionally, apppears personable - then communicates well, demonstrates critical and ethical thinking, sees the big picture, summarizes her perspective, gives the details, showing an understanding of all sides, explains why her solution is appropriate and defends her positions with logic and enthusiasm, not wavering.

[future_doc]

http://rcpsc.medical.org/canmeds/Can...MEDS2005_e.pdf

pg. 10 – Competencies of physicians

 

http://secure.cihi.ca/cihiweb/produc...2010_Web_e.pdf

Health Care in Canada 2010

pgs 61, 81, 88-89, 93-98, 101, 105-108

 

http://www.acs.min-saude.pt/pns2011-...03/pnsqueb.pdf

good overview of health care in Canada and role of physician (even though meant for Que)

^ I leave to you what to scan

[smthg]

Yes, like you've said before, too much practice is not good I'll reflect on basic questions. As for being excited, I AM, trust me I didn't even think of getting an interview at McGill ( I would have been sad otherwise, but it wasn't a possibility in my head), so when I saw the invite... let's just say I didn't scream because I was in a public library

 

I know the dress code for the MEMFI is very informal... I've heard of people going in jeans A nice skirt or pant suit will do the job for me. I never would be able to take myself seriously if I go in jeans!

 

I've hear that the McGill MEM were quite different from the MEMFI... do you know what's the difference? Surely, the prep would be the same, but focused on different elements?

[future_doc]

I've hear that the McGill MEM were quite different from the MEMFI... do you know what's the difference? Surely, the prep would be the same, but focused on different elements?

 

For starters, for sure, you would not want to enter the MEM wearing jeans! Another major difference is that you will be fed delicious Montreal bagel with cream cheese, an absolute delicacy. Also, found only in Montreal and a walk from McGill is Schwartz's located on Main Street, St. Lawrence Blvd., on the east side, a short walk going North from Pine Avenue. There is always a lineup outside but you can walk right in and order a take out or sit at the counter - and order a smoked meat sandwich (best in the whole world!), french fried, a dill and cherry coke. If you sit at a table, others are there from all over the world, talk to them.

 

If you happen to be in Montreal on a Sunday, you must have breakfast at Thursday's on Crescent Street, it opens at 10:30 AM. You get orange juice, a basket of danish, croissants, etc that they will refill to your heart's content, a fruit plate, they will refill your orange juice and breakfast is from $6.50 - 12. A treat to remember. Breakfast is over at just before 3 P.M.

 

And you then walk South to St.Catherine, turn left going east a few feet and enjoy the Apple Store.

 

ALL the above are the only differences between the MEM (MMI) and MEMFI!

 

Preparing for the MEMFI, you are also preparing for the MEM, lol.

[future_doc]

Treat the MEM & MEMFI like a FUN DAY going on joy rides! Seriously.

 

Go in relaxed, enthusiastic and knowing you are going to have fun. And just be yourself! Simple and accurate advice, I promise. Sort of like going for a swim at your favourite location on a warm day - you know you need to dress for the occasion, act appropriately and you will dive in, swim, play with a big ball and have a good time. And just like in swimming, every stroke won't be perfect for you or for others. Nobody is perfect and perfection is not what they are looking for. Rather, they want to know if you have the attributess found in physicians, needed by physicians. Do you have initiative, leadership qualities, can you think quickly on your feet, are you an ethical thinker, are you a good communicator, are you compassionate, are you a problem solver?

[Robin Hood]

Treat the MEM & MEMFI like a FUN DAY going on joy rides! Seriously.

 

Go in relaxed, enthusiastic and knowing you are going to have fun. And just be yourself! Simple and accurate advice, I promise. Sort of like going for a swim at your favourite location on a warm day - you know you need to dress for the occasion, act appropriately and you will dive in, swim, play with a big ball and have a good time. And just like in swimming, every stroke won't be perfect for you or for others. Nobody is perfect and perfection is not what they are looking for. Rather, they want to know if you have the attributess found in physicians, needed by physicians. Do you have initiative, leadership qualities, can you think quickly on your feet, are you an ethical thinker, are you a good communicator, are you compassionate, are you a problem solver?

 

I always see people saying: be relaxed! And how can you be relaxed when there are hundreds of applicants competing against you? Also, does having all of these guaranty acceptance? Plus, not everybody is a leader.

[future_doc]

You are not competing against others, rather you are simply competing against yourself to be the best you can be in terms of performance. I have experience in many public performance both for cultural and artistic enjoyment and for national competitions. Every time without exception, I am myself and when I hit the stage, yes butterflies for the first 30 seconds only, and I am fine. I am competent and confident and simply go out there to do that which I have trained for. So, I feel no anxiety just excitement and I do not suffer from performance anxiety. I just do the best of which I am capable.

 

Indeed, in athletic performance and competitions, one focuses strictly upon the task at hand and certainly, not upon the competition nor trying to micromanage every step. You react instinctively at that point in dealing with the task and you have built yourself up for that day. Thus, for the MEMFI, you know who you are in this world, you are comfortable in your own skin, you are walking in with your education and life experiences behind you, and you simply treat the MEMFI as FUN, which it is. This mindset is helpful and relaxing even though you are on your toes mentally. Thinking of the competition is not helpful, not useful. You only think about that which you can control and that is yourself. The best way to control yourself is to be yourself. Believe me, it works well.