Two Sorts, Two Sides – There are two main types of ethical scenarios, each requiring its own unique approach (see video above). However, common to all ethical scenarios is the need to offer balanced input and address both sides. Studies have found that remarkably more than two-thirds of applicants fail to address both sides in MMI Ethical Scenarios despite knowing the importance of this. This is due to a combination of factors, including not recognising the ethical scenario, interview pressure as well as being ‘cut-off’ before being able to offer the opposing arguments. Hence, we would recommend that you always commence every ethical dilemma by recognising that there are two sides with a statement such as ‘There are two sides to consider..’. Hence, even if you are interrupted before offering the opposing view, you will still be regarded as one of the minority of candidates who offered both sides to the ethical dilemma.
4 Pillars of Medical Ethics – Autonomy, Justice, Beneficence and Non-Maleficence. These are not only important for daily medical practice, but equally essential for medical school MMI Interviews. Ensure that you know what each of these principles means, and consider memorising one or two examples of their application pre-interview. Wherever possible, attempt to include these core principles in MMI Ethical Scenarios.
​Recognise The Ethical Scenario – Half of the challenge with ethical scenarios is recognising that this is not a general Role Play or Communication Station, and instead this is an ethical scenario. As such, when preparing for interviews, ask interviewers not to mention the nature of the scenario beforehand; instead combine a variety of different MMI station formats in order to improve your recognition of different MMI scenario formats, and the techniques required for each.