Queen's University Medicine Interview Questions

Ethical Dilemmas – These stations examine the candidate’s knowledge of the ethical principles guiding medical practice. Candidates are recommended to have a strong understanding of the ‘Two Sorts, Two Sides of MMI Ethical Dilemmas’. As there is a strong emphasis on understanding and recognising the main ethical principles guiding medicine and their application during the MMI. Knowledge of the Hippocratic Oath is also referenced during these interviews. Examples of ethical situations that candidates may encounter are:

• If a 14-year old female patient comes to ask you for birth-control pills but doesn’t want you to tell her parents, what do you do?
• Have you ever been forced to do something that has conflicted with your personal values?
• If your friend broke the law, what would you do?
• Additional MMI Ethical Scenarios with model answers are available in the MMI Question Bank

Communication Stations – These stations may present candidates with a scenario to discuss or require them to provide an explanation of how they would undertake a particular task, including the following examples. Ensure that you have a good understanding of the 7 Stage of MMI Communication Stations prior to your interviews:

•  Briefly explain, in simple terms, how you would teach a person how to play the [musical instrument listed in the application].
• Explain your thesis project, so that a group of grade 4 children can understand it.
• How would you tell the parents of a young child that their child was terminally ill with cancer?
• Describe your research in laymen’s terms.
• How would you change Bush’s mind on stem cell research?
• How would you tell a patient that they had a lump in their throat but you couldn’t treat them for three months?”
• Tell me about two important events in Canadian History.
• What do you think are the two most important issues facing the world today?
• What is the most important issue in Canada right now?”
• Name the three most powerful people in the world today.

The essential skills required to help you manage stations which examine your communication can be reviewed on the BlackStone Tutors “7 Stages of MMI Communication Stations”.

Personal Statement/General – These stations delve into aspects of the candidate’s application and may have a broad range of topics. Candidates should also expect to be asked an unusual/random question, that is unrelated to their study or personal history.

• How will balance many activities and demands of study?
• Tell me about a problem you might have with the medical program at this school
•  What do you do in your spare time to relax/for fun?
• Tell me about a creative project you have done.
• What kind of books do you like to read/what are you reading right now?
• What would you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?
• What contribution have you made to the community that you are most proud of?
• Describe a conflict that has arisen in a job, volunteer experience etc. and how you dealt with it.
• What event in the world’s history do you think has had the greatest impact on today’s society?
• Tell me three strengths/three weaknesses.
• How do you deal with stress?
• Have you ever failed?
• Tell me about your family. Do you have any siblings?
• Tell me about yourself.
• What three people would you invite to dinner?
• How do you manage your time?
• Have you ever inspired anyone?
• If you could be any kitchen appliance, what would you be and why?
• Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
• “If you could read three books that you haven’t read yet, what would they be, and one has to be by a Canadian author.
• What you want us to remember about you?
• Name 3 world events that have influenced you personally.
• If you could recommend one book for the whole world to read what would it be?
•  If you could be any object in this room what would you be?
• Name three things that are most important to you
• You are stuck on an island… what three things would you bring?
• What kind of impression of yourself do you think you’ve given us so far?
• Name a goal that you did not fulfil.
• Who do you consider to be your role model(s)
• If you could change one aspect of your character what would it be?
• Talk about a time when you had to follow a policy that you disagreed with.
• Describe a time in your life when you had to stand up for something you believed in against your peers.
• Can you think of a time that you made a mistake but it ended up working out better because of it?
• Tell me about your perspectives.
• If you had a conflict with a fellow classmate on a group project, how would you resolve it if the project was due the next day and you were not nearly finished?
• What would you do if you were accepted to medical school but had to wait one year before entry – what would you do with a free year?
• Tell me about a key attribute needed for teamwork.
• What do you hope for Canada for the future?

Motivation and Insight into Medicine – Theses stations focus on the healthcare system and different models in other parts of the world. It also examines the candidate’s awareness of global health issues, current controversial issues in medicine as well as the role of the World Health Organization (WHO). A basic knowledge of the laws governing medical practice may also be required as well as different specialities in medicine. Questions from these areas may include:

• How would you deal with the death of a patient?
• What is your opinion on two-tier health care?
• Once accepted/graduated/ in practice, how will you work to improve the Canadian Health Care System?
• How would you deal with issues like bed/staff shortages?
• What aspects of medicine makes you want to pursue it?
• How do you feel about incentive programs for rural medicine? How else might you promote rural medicine?
• How do you feel about the privatization of health care?
•  What kind of doctor do you want to be?
• You’ve taken the history of medicine courses…tell me something that happened in the history of medicine that has affected the profession to this day.
•  Why have you chosen to study at Queens?
• What challenges do you foresee for yourself in medicine?
• What do you think about the proposal to increase tuition fees in Quebec?
• What specialities are you interested in?
• What characteristics are important in a doctor? Which of your characteristics are best and worst for this career?
• Compare and contrast US / Canadian health care systems.
• If you could change one thing about the current health care system, what would it be?
• Talk to me about the primary care reform?
• What aspect of your participation in [activity listed in your application] will help you in your career as a physician?”
• How do your personal attributes fit in with your desire to begin clinical practice?
• Should Canada offer free tuition for medical school? If yes, where should the money come from?
• Do you think socioeconomic status is a factor in acceptance to medical school?
• What would you incorporate from the American health care system to improve the Canadian health care system?
• If your father was ill, and on a ‘waitlist’, would you drive to Buffalo for diagnostic treatment?
• How would you deal with the problem of the type 2 diabetes epidemic and the cost of dialysis?