TACKLINGQUESTIONS

Thissectionhasbeendividedintoninethemes,manyofwhichariseineveryinterview.Thequestionsinitalics
arecommonquestionsthathavearisenininterviewsinthepastandarelikelytodosothisyear.Somequestions
arefollowedby adviceonhow toanswer them. Theexactwordingofquestionsbetween yearsandbetween
differentinterviewsmaychange,butthegeneralconceptsandqualitiesbeingtestedwillremainthesame.

INTRODUCTIONALLABOUTYOU
Thisistheinitialicebreakerperiodwheretheinterviewingpanelfindsoutabitaboutyou.Itisoftenusedto
easeyouintotheinterviewandhelpyourelax.Theaimistogetaninsightintowhoyouareyourbackground,
yourinterests,yourideas.
Questionsinthissectionwill oftenbringupsomethingthatwill naturally flow into another themesuchas
personalqualities(eg.leadershipskills,teamwork).
Thissectionisagoodchancetocoverthingsthatmaynotbecoveredinotherpartsoftheinterview.
Tellusabitaboutyourself.
Thislookslikeasimplequestion,butitisonethatmanypeoplefindverydifficulttoanswer.Youneedtothink
aboutwhatyouridentitywhatmakesyou,you?Youmaytalkaboutyourfamily,yourinterestsandyourkey
(nonreligious)beliefs.Theinitialexercisewillhelpwiththisquestion.
ItisimportanttoresistthetemptationtooverusethewordsIandmeinansweringthisquestionyoudonot
wanttoappearoverlyselfcentred.Trypresentingyourselfaspartofagroupinsteadofasanindividual(eg.My
familyandI,Ourleadershipteam).
Whatareyourinterests/hobbies?
Here,theinterviewersaretryingtodeterminewhetherornotyouhavealifeoutsideofschoolworkandstudy.
Theyknowyouareanexcellentstudentotherwiseyouwouldntbethere.Whattheywanttoknowisifyouare
a wellroundedpersonwithvarioustalentsandskills, for example, that youare involvedinsport, musicor
debating.Theyalsowanttoknowthatyouhaveotherinterestsandinvolvements,suchastheatre,literatureor
politics.
Whathaveyoulearntfromyourinvolvementinextracurricularactivities?
Thisquestiontakestheprecedingquestionastepfurther.Itmaybeusedtogaugethedepthofyourinvolvement
inaparticularactivity.
Yousayyoulikesport.Whatdoesthewayyouplaysportsayaboutyou?(eg.Areyoucompetitive?Doyougive
upeasily?Areyouagoodloser?Doyoubackawayfromachallenge?)
Whatisyourmostvaluedachievement?
Thiswilldifferconsiderablybetweenpeople.Itisimportanttoexplainwhyitisyourmostvaluedachievement.
Isitbecauseitrecognisedordevelopedskillswithinyou?Isitbecauseyouworkedhardforit?Isitbecauseyou
learntaboutlifeormadegoodfriends?
Manyofthesetypesofquestionswillbeaskedtoprobepersonalqualitiessuchasperseverance,selfrelianceand
empathy.
Whatachievementsoraccomplishmentsdoyoutakepridein?
Tellusaboutaneventthatoccurredinyourlifeandhowitshapedyou.

Whatpeoplehaveinfluencedyouandhow?
The most important people you should mention here is your family. Other people may be close friends or
teachersoranyotherpersonthathasshapedyourlife.

SELFAWARENESS
Studyingandpracticingasahealthprofessionalcanbeverydemandingandstressful. Theinterviewerswantto
knowwhetheryouhaveselfawarenesstoenableyoutocopewithandadapttochallengingsituations,andeven
changeaspectsofyourcharacterifnecessary.
Selfawareness is also important for you to deal with patients in an unbiased and effective manner. As an
extremeexample,sayyouareCatholicandhaveastrongmoralobjectiontoabortion.Ateenagegirlcomesin
sayingthatshewantstoterminateherpregnancy.Hereyoumusthavethehumilitytorecognisethatyourbeliefs
may(intentionallyorunintentionally)affecttheway youtreather. Youshoulddisclosethistoher andoffer a
referraltoanotherhealthpractitioner.
However,selfawarenessissomethingweshouldhaveonadailybasis.Ifyouareill,strugglingtocopewitha
personalmatterorareinanangeredstate,forexample,youshouldrecognisethatthismayimpactuponyour
capacitytotreatpatientseffectively.Youshouldtakesometimeout,seekhelpand/ortakeleave.
Failuretorecogniseandrealisticallyassessyourstrengthsandweaknessescanleadtopoorhealthoutcomesfor
yourpatients.
Whatareyourstrengthsandweaknesses?
Startwithyourstrengths. Listtwoor threeimportant, desirable qualitiesthatyoupossess. Try nottochoose
strengthsthatmostpeoplesittingtheinterviewwillhave(eg. conscientiousness)orstrengthsthathavealready
beenimplicitly coveredinthe interview (eg. listeningskills). Choose strengthsthat show your maturity and
capacity tosucceedasahealthprofessionalandhealthsciencestudent. Exploreeachonethoroughly andgive
examplesofwhenyourqualityshowed(eg.achievements,difficultcircumstancesthatyouhaveendured).
Some examples of strengths include: ability to focus, perseverance, cheerfulness, knowledge of limitations,
modesty,willingnesstolearn,acceptingandtolerant,quicktolearn,genuine,determined,agoodlistener,open
andopenminded, havehighmoralstandards, dedicated, resourceful, outgoing, nonjudgemental, easygoing,
decisive,trustworthy,friendly,haveaninterestinpeople,mature,approachable.
Discussthesamenumberofweaknessesasyoudidstrengths. Whenselectingyourweaknesses,choosethose
thatcanbeimproved(perhapsinthemedicalcourse),orcanbeseenasastrength(eg.beingaperfectionist).
Talkaboutwhyyouthinkitisaweakness,howithasaffectedyou(giveexamples),andmostimportantly,what
youaredoingtoovercomethatweakness.Furthermore,dontphrasetheweaknesstoonegatively.Forexample,
dontsayIamemotionallyweaksaySometimesIfindthatIbecomeemotionaleasilyincertainsituations.
Thinkaboutwhyyouarestrongorweakinacertainarea.Haveyoualwaysbeenthatway?Ifitisastrength,has
itcomenaturallyorhaveyouhadtoworktoperforminthearea?
Toensureyoudontfocusononeaspectofyourpersonality,trydividingyourlistofstrengthsandweaknesses
intovariousrealms:intellectual,personality,communicative,spiritual,emotional,physical.
Whatwouldyoumostliketochangeaboutyourself?
No one is perfect everyone has something they would like to change about themselves. Here it is very
importanttoshowthatyoustriveforcontinuousimprovementi.e.youarecontinuallytryingtomakeyourselfa
betterperson.Thissortofselfassessmentisimportantasahealthprofessional.
Hereyoumightliketorelateanexampleofwhereanotsogoodaspectofyourcharactercamethrough.Itis
vital toshow thatyouhave learnedsomethingfrom theexperiencefirstly soitdoesnthappenagain, and

secondly so youchangeinapositiveway. Itmightalsobehelpfultosay that insteadofwantingto change

yourself,youwanttoimprovesomethingaboutyourself.
Howwouldafriend/familymemberwoulddescribeyou?
Hereitcanbehelpfultoactuallygoandaskafriendorfamilymembertodescribeyou.Askthemtobehonest,
andseewhattheycomeupwith.
Ifyouweretoaskagroupofyourfriendstodescribeyouinoneword,whatwouldthatwordbeandwhy?
Howwouldyoudescribeyourself?
Whatkindsoffriendsdoyouhave?
Itisimportantheretoshowthatyouhaveadiversityoffriends.Thiswillshowthatyouareanacceptingperson
whoisable to get alongwitha wide range ofpeople. Also, talk about what bindsyoutogether isit your
interests,yourvalues,orsomethingelse?
Doyouthinkthemedical/dentistrycoursewillhelpyouimproveyourself?
Ofcourseitwill!Itwillgiveyouthechancetoexpandyourknowledgeofhumanhealthandillness,improveyour
communicationskills,giveyouaninsightintohumannature,allowyoutoempathisewithothersetc.
Ifyougotintothiscourse,whataspectsofyourselfdoyouthinkyouwouldchange?

PERSONALQUALITIESANDSKILLS
Interviewerswilloftenaskyouaboutspecificqualitiesthatareviewedasdesirableinthestudyandpracticeof
healthsciences.Keepinmindthatinthissectiontheinterviewersarereallyaskingyou:Whatdopeoplelookfor
inahealthprofessional,anddoyouhavethesequalities?

Teamwork
Teamworkisamajorpartofthehealthprofession,especiallyinrecentyears.Ifyouareadoctor,forexample,
you will need to work with a host of other health professionals specialists, pathologists, physiotherapists,
pharmacists,dentists,naturopathsinordertogainthebesthealthoutcomeforyourpatient.
Mirroringthis, thetrendwithinhealthsciencecourses(especiallymedicine)isamoveaway fromlecturestyle
learningtoa moreteambasedandcollaborative approach(see notesbelow). It istherefore important that
studentshavethecapacitytoworkandlearneffectivelyinateam.Oneteammemberwhodoesnotpulltheir
weight or who hasa negative attitude towardsteamwork hasthe potential to bringthe entire team down,
meaninglearningandworktasksforallareadverselyaffected.
Inanidealteam,allteammembersshouldcontributeequallyandthereshouldbeanatmospherewhereideas
arewelcomedandbeliefsarerespected.
GraduateinterviewsatANUtakeaverynovelapproachtotestingteamworkbyhavingapplicantstakepartinan
activeteamworksituation.Theyarerequiredtoworkthroughaprobleminateamwhiletheassessorswatch.
Describeasituationwhereyouhadtoworkinateam.
Youwillhavebeenapartofmanyteamsthusfarinyourlifesporting,volunteer,leadership,debating,theatre.
Drawupontheseforexamples.
Thinkaboutaparticulargroupthatyouwereinvolvedin.Werethereanyproblemsinthegroup?Howdidyougo
abouthandlingthem?

Seethesectiononconflictresolutionforideas.
Whatqualitiesdoyouneedtobeagoodteamleader/teammember?
Teammember:

Willingtolisten

Willingtocontribute

Respectfulandencouragingofothersopinions
Hasteamspirit

Teamleader:

Opentodiscussion
Abletorecognisepotentialinteammembers

Hasvision

Makesdifficultdecisions

Approachableandrespectedbytheteam

Thinkaboutthequalitieslistedaboveandbeabletoexplainthemtotheintervieweriftheyaskyoutoelaborate.
Whatroledoyouusuallytakeinagroupteamleaderorteammember?
Hereitisprudenttosaythatyouareflexibletotakeoneitherrole,dependingonthesituationandgivesome
examplesifappropriate.
Doyouenjoyworkingindividuallyorinateam?
Yourresponsewillvary,butgenerallyinterviewersarelookingforpeoplewhoareflexibleandabletoworkboth
inateamandindividuallydependingonthesituation.
Whatarethedifferencesbetweenworkinginateamandworkingindividually?

ConflictResolution
Inthecontextofmedical/dentistryinterviews,conflictresolutiongenerallyrelatestoteamwork.Someformof
conflictwillinevitablyariseinanygroupsituation,andresolvingitinaneffectivemannerisvital.
Remember that a team brings together a group of people from a myriad of social, economic, cultural and
situationalbackgroundswhoworktogethertoreachacommongoal.Theadvantageofdiversitywithinateamis
thattheoutcomeisoftenricherbecausethereiscontributionfromnotjustoneperson,butmanypeoplewith
differentideasandbeliefs.However,withdiversityalsopotentiallycomesconflict.Conflictshouldnotbeviewed
assomethingnegativethatshouldbeavoided,butassomethingpositivethatcanpotentiallyenrichtheoutcome.
Generalprinciplesofconflict resolutioninvolvebeingnonconfrontational, takingthepersonasiderather than
talking to them in front of others, asking for their perspective first, trying to encourage effective listening
betweentwoquarrellingmembers,aimingforawin/winsituationandworkingwithamediator.
Whatwouldyoudoifateammemberwasnotpullingtheirweight?
Theanswertothisquestiondependsonwhetheryouareateamleaderorteammemberyourresponsewould
bedifferent.
Ifyouwereateammember,thebestresponsewouldbetotalktotheteamleaderaboutit(unlesstheteam
memberwassomeoneyouknewverywell).Ifyouwereateamleader,youmayhavetotakethepersonaside,
stateyourobservations(ie.themnotpullingtheirweight)andaskfortheirperspective.Worktogethertocome
toasolution.
Haveyoueverhadaconflictwithsomeoneelseoragroupofpeople?Howdidyouresolveit?

Wehaveallhadtohandledifficultpeopleatsomepointinourlives.Howdoyouhandledifficultpeople?
Aconflictresolutionscenario.
Yourskillsinconflictresolutionmayalsobetestedaspartofascenario(seesectiononsagas).Youwillbegiven
astoryandmaybeaskedtopresentawayofsolvingtheconflict.Thinkoutsidethesquaretryandbecreative
withyour solutionsanddemonstrateyourlateralthinkingskills.Also,trynottotakesidesyoushouldtryto
remainanimpartialarbitrator.

Leadership
Leadershipisalsoimportantwithinthehealthprofession. Itcanmanifestitselfin variousforms,forexample,
beingtheleaderofateam,mentoringamedicalstudentorintern,leadingagroupofhealthprofessionalswithin
ahospitalorbeingtheleaderofapublichealthpolicyunit.Leaderswithinthehealthfieldoftenhavetomake
difficultdecisions,andtakeresponsibilityfortheirownactionsandforthosetowhomtheyareresponsible.
Whatleadershiproleshaveyouhad?
Pleasegiveusanexampleofwhenyoudemonstratedleadershipqualities.
Thismaynotnecessarilybeinarecognisedleadershipposition.Forexample,youmaydescribeasituationwhere
youtooktheinitiativetoresolveconflictwithinafriendshipgroup.
Giveanexampleofagoodleaderthatyouknow.Whatmadethemagoodleader?
Whatskillsandqualitiesareimportantinbeingagoodleader?
Beingasuccessfulleaderrequiresthatyouhavevariousskillsandqualities.Ingeneral,aleadermustbeableto
dotwokeythings.
Firstly,theyneedtosetgoals.Todothis,theleadermustbeabletolistentoteammemberstofindoutwhat
their needs, aspirationsandideasare. Theleader mustcreateanatmospherewhereeveryonefeelsthey can
contributeandfeelsthattheirideasarevalued.Theleadermustsetgoalsthatarevisionaryandtakeaccountof
thebeliefsofgroupmembers.
Next,leadersmustmotivategroupmemberstoachievethosegoals.Everyteammembershouldbeclearabout
what they are doing, so the leader must be an effective communicator and manager who delegates work
effectively.Goodleadersrecognisethateverypersonhascertainattributes,andmustdevelopwaystoharness
thispotentialinamannerwhichissatisfyingtotheindividualandhelpsachievegroupgoals.Theleadermustbe
abletoresolvenegativeconflictifitarisesinthegroup.Heorshemusthavetherespectofothermembersofthe
groupinordertodoso.
Leaderscanthereforebedescribedashavingthefollowingqualities

Havethecapacitytomakedecisions

Arewellrespected

Areconfident

Aregoodcommunicators

Areselfsacrificing

Areinspiringandvisionary

Areorganised

Haveconcernforthosetheyareleading
Inateamsituation,howdoyougetthebestoutofpeople?

DealingwithAdversity

Asahealthprofessionalandasastudent,youwillfindthatsometimesthingswillnotgothewayyouhoped.You
willhavetodealwithsetbacksanddisappointments.Youmayhaveapatientwhodoesnotrecoverdespiteyour
bestefforts,oryoumaybeknockedbackforaregistrarpositioninthespecialityofyourchoice.Theinterviewers
arelookingforsomeonewhowillnotcollapseunderthispressure,butwilllearnandgrowfromtheexperience.
Describeadifficulttimeinyourlife.Howdidyoucope?
Haveyouhadanydisappointmentsorsetbacksinyourlife?Howdidyoudealwiththem?
Haveyoueverhadanysignificantfailuresinyourlife?
Whatisyourgreatestdisappointment?Howdoyoudealwithdisappointment?
Whatistheworstthingthathaseverhappenedtoyou?Howdidyoudealwithit?
Howdoyouhandlecriticism?
Hereitisimportanttoshowthatyouaresomeonewhowelcomescriticism,andviewsitasachancetolearn.
Criticismhasbecomesomewhatofatabooinoursociety,andparents,teachersandevenbossesareatloatheto
criticise.Therefore,whensomeonedoesprovidecriticism,youshouldviewitassomethingpositive.Displaying
suchanattitudeintheinterviewshowsmaturity,humilityandacommitmenttocontinuousimprovement.
Ofcourse,ifthecriticism isemotionally chargedanddoesnotreflectreality,youshouldnotbechangingyour
behaviourbasedonit. Itisimportanttoconsiderthecriticismwhenyouarecalmandcanthinkaboutitina
rationalmanner.Ifitisjustified,youshouldmakethenecessarychangestoyourbehaviourand/orattitude.

DecisionMaking
Heretheinterviewersaretryingtoassesshowyougoaboutmakingdecisionsanintegralpartofpracticeasa
healthprofessional.Inclinicalpractice,youwillneedtomakeamultitudeofdecisionseveryday,someofwhich
mayhaveadramaticimpactuponpeopleslivesandqualityoflife.
In particular, the interviewers are interested in how you make decisions with incomplete or ambiguous
informationor indifficult situations. Asa healthprofessional, youwill oftennot haveallthe informationyou
requiretomakeadecisionanditcansometimesbeconflictingorvague.Decisionmakingskillsinsuchsituations
areparticularlyimportant.
Intheinterview,itisimportantthatyoutalkthroughhowyouhavemade/wouldmakeaparticulardecision.
Thismayinvolvetalkingtokey playersor advisors,gatheringinformationetc.Youneedtoshowthatyouare
balancedinyourdecisionmakingandthusneedtoconsider theprosandconsofaparticularcourseofaction.
Also,showthatyouconsidertheconsequencesofyourdecision.
Giveanexampleofatimewhenyouhadtomakeanimportantdecision.Howdidyougoaboutdoingso?
Giveanexampleofatimewhenyouhadtomakeaquickdecision.
Giveanexampleofwhenyouhadtomakeadecisionbasedonincompleteinformation.Howdidyougoabout
doingit?
Whatisthetoughestdecisionyouhaveeverhadtomake?
Attheageofseventeenoreighteen,thismaybeaverydifficultquestiontoanswer.However,atoughdecision
doesnothavetobeonethatinvolveslifeanddeath.Considerthese,forexample:leavinghome,quittingajob/
sport, endinga relationship or accepting responsibility for something that went wrong. Describe why it was
difficultandhowitmadeyoufeel(thisshowsemotionalintelligence). Talk aboutwhatfactorsinfluencedyour
eventualdecisionandwhattheresultwas.Alwaysremembertotalkaboutwhatyoulearntfromyourexperience
thisshowsacommitmenttoreflectionandcontinuousimprovement.

Scenario:Anewdrugisavailable.In95%ofcases,itcanprolongthelifeofsomeonewithaterminalillnessby6
monthsandalsoimprovequalityoflife. In5%ofcases,however, itcancausesevere complicationsthatwill
resultinapainfuldeath.Youareadoctorandoneofyourpatientshasbeendiagnosedwithaterminalillness.
Theywilldiearelativelypeacefuldeathinsixmonths.Withthenewdrug,theymaylivefor12months.Doyou
givethemthedrug?
Itisimportanttoshareyourdecisionmakingprocessandnotbesimplisticinyouranswer.Youneedtoconsider
issuessuchasqualityoflife,thewishesofthepatient/familymembersandlikelyoutcomes.
Often the interviewers will extend the scenario further. If you give the patient the drug, for example, the
followingmightbesaid:
Yougive the patientthedrug, andunfortunately they suffer complicationsandpassaway. One monthlater,
anotherofyourpatientsisdiagnosedwithaterminalillness,andhassixmonthstolive.Doyougivethemthe
drug?
Agoodanswer may be somethinglike: My initial reactionwould be to not give them thedrug, after what
happenedwithmypreviouspatient. However, I wouldneedtorealisethatmy judgment isbeingcloudedby
previous experience. I would do the same as I did for my previous patient: discuss with family members,
colleagues,considerissuesofqualityoflife,andthenmakemydecision.'

Stressmanagement
Learningandpracticingwithinthehealthprofessioncanbevery stressful.Youwill havetocopewiththehigh
demandformedicalcareinanareathatisoftenunderresourced.Youwillbedealingwithsickpeoplealmostall
thetime.Itisnotaneasytask.
Universitiesdonotwantstudentswhowillcrumbleunderthepressureorquitthecourse.Theywantstudentswho
understandthatthehealthprofessionisachallengingandstressfulone,butwhoalsohavetheskillstocopewith
it.
Thefirststeptodealingwithstressisrecognisingthatyouareinfactstressed.Theinterviewerswanttoknow
thatyouareapersonwhoisawareoftheirhealth,andrealisethatpoorphysicalorpsychologicalhealthcanbe
detrimentaltoyourperformance.Thisisavitalskillasbothastudentandahealthprofessional.
Interviewersalsowanttoknowthatyoucandealwithstressfulsituationsandhavedevelopedstrategiestocope.
Canyoutellwhenyouarestressed?How?
Howdopeopleknowwhenyouarestressed?
Whatstrategiesdoyouusetodealwithstress?
Thesemayincludeexercise,meditation,relaxationtechniques,writinginajournal,takingtimeouttospendtime
withfriendsandfamily,engaginginahobbyorplayingamusicalinstrument.
Howdoyouhandle/copewithstress?

CommunityMindedness
Asahealthprofessional,youwillhaveagreaterobligationtosocietythantheordinarylayperson.Youwillhave
skills that have the potential to significantly improve the quality oflife of people andevensave lives. It is
thereforeimportantthatyouaresomeonewhoiscommunitymindedandhasasocialconscience.
Ifyouhave not done much community / volunteer work, now isthe time to get some. Keepin mind that

communityworkdoesnthavetobesomethingprofounditcanmeanthesimpleactoffundraisingortalkingto
residentsatanursinghome.
Tellmeaboutatimewhenyouhavehelpedsomeone.
Haveyoueverdoneanyvolunteer/communitywork?
Inwhatwayareyouinvolvedincommunityservice?

DOYOUKNOWWHATITTAKES?(MOTIVATION)
Thissectionoftheinterviewisdesignedtoevaluatewhetheryouknowwhatitwilltaketobea:
1.

Healthsciencestudent

2.

Healthpractitioner

Thisrequiresyoutoreflectrealisticallyaboutwhatitmeanstobeahealthsciencestudentandpractitioner.Often
peoplehavearomanticviewofwhathealthprofessionalsdobasedonlittlemorethanepisodesofERandScrubs.
Beingamedicalstudentalsohasakindofauraaroundit,anddoesntnecessarily capturethehardworkand
stressthatispartofthecourse.
Theinterviewerswanttoknowthatyouhavethoughtaboutwhatisinvolvedinembarkingonthecourseand
knowwhatyoureinforattheendofit.Theydontwanttospendsignificantresourcesonapersonwhowilldrop
outintheend.Theyalsowantsomeonewhoisapplyingfortherightreasonsnotforthemoney,prestigeor
becausethefamilyexpectsit.
Itisvitalthatyoushowahighlevelandqualityofmotivationforstudyingyourchosencourse.Oftenmedicine
andthehealthsciencesarenotalltheycrackeduptobethecourseisoftenmore difficultandintensethan
imaginedandtheactualprofessionnotasidealasexpected.Youthereforeneedtoshowthatyouhavearealistic
viewofwhatitmeanstobeadoctorandahealthsciencestudent.
Youwillalsoneedtoshowatrackrecordofdesireandaction.Ifyourdesiretodothisparticularcoursestarted
fiveyearsago,theinterviewerswillwanttoknowwhatyouhavedonesincethentofulfilthisdesire.Proveto
themthatyouhavehadalengthywishtodothecourse,andshowhowintenseyourdesireisbyshowingwhat
actionsyouhavetaken.
RememberthatanyonecansayImreallyinterestedinworkinginaruralarea,orinanAboriginalcommunity,
buttheinterviewersarenotlikelytotakemuchnoticeofitunlessyoucanshowevidence(eg.throughexamples
ofworkexperience,volunteerwork,orvisitingsuchcommunities).
Alsorememberthatyourtruemotivationcanberevealedinaninterviewsituationwithoutyouknowingit.For
example,ifyouusewordslikeMedicareandcardiologistratherthanheartdoctor,youarealreadydisplaying
thatyouhaveaninterestinmedicine.
Inthissectioninparticular,itisimportantthatyouexudeenthusiasmandpassion.
Whydoyouwanttobeadoctor/dentist?
Thisisanageoldquestionthatwillundoubtedlycomeupineveryhealthscienceinterview.Itevencomesupin
interviewsforinternandregistrarpositions!Forthisreason,itisvitalthatyoudontsaywhateveryonesays:I
wanttohelppeople.Whilethismaybeyourmotivatingfactor,youdonthavetostateitinsuchaclichdway.
Thinkofadifferentwaytoexpressit,andinamannerwhichconveysyourindividualityanduniqueness.
Ifyouoranyofyourfamilymembershavehadtodealwithasevereillness,youmightbringituphere.Either
way, youmightwanttotalk abouthowgood/badexperienceswithdoctors(ofyourselfor family members)
haveinfluencedyourdecisiontobeadoctor.

Remembertotalkaboutthedevelopmentalhistoryofyourdesire. Thinkaboutwhenyoufirststartedthinking
aboutthecareer,whatmadeyouconsideritandhowyourattitudestowardsithavechanged.
Someexamplesofwhatsuccessfulstudentshavesaidare:

Ihaveadesiretohelppeople(butsaidinamuchmoreinterestingmanner)

Ibelievetheprofessionisworthwhile:itsacalling,notjustajob
Ifindtheworkinteresting.Ihaveaninterestinscience,thehumanbody,peopleand/orhumannature
Iamwellsuitedtotheprofession(explainwhy)

Whoinfluencedyourdecisiontodomedicine/dentistry?
Thesepeoplemayincludeyourdoctor(s)(goodandbad),teachersorpeopleyouhavemetonworkexperience/
duringvolunteer work. Youcanmentionyour parentsor family members, butremember toavoidgivingthe
impressionthatyouaredoingmedicinesimplytoperpetuatethefamilytraditionorbecauseyourparentswant
youto.
Whendidyoufirstdecideyouwantedtobeadoctor/dentistandwhy?
Whathaveyoudonetodemonstrateyourdesiretobecomeadoctor/dentist?
Whataretheadvantages/disadvantagesofmedicine/dentistry?
Thisquestionistryingtoassesswhetheryouhavearealisticviewofwhatmedicineisabout.Rememberthatthe
interviewisnottheplacetobeidealisticthiswillsuggestimmaturityandunrealisticexpectationsofthejob.
Itisimportanttoshowthatyouknowaboutthe'bad'sideofbeingahealthprofessional,yetyoustillhavean
unquenchabledesiretobeonethiswilltrulydisplayyourmotivation.
Someexamplesofadvantages:

Arewardingcareer,playingapositiveroleinsociety

Workingwithpeople

Interestingworkingwithavarietyofpeopleanddifferentmedicalconditions
Excitingwithnewdevelopmentsandresearch

Challenging

Someexamplesofdisadvantages

Stressful

Difficulttobalanceworkandfamilycommitments

Years,financialcostandintensityoftraining(andtheneedtobealifelonglearner)

Difficultiessuchasthecostandstressofmedicallitigation,limitedtimeandresources,theinabilityto
treat/curesomediseases

Emotionallydemanding:constantlyseeingpeopleattheirworst
Whenaskedaboutdisadvantages, itmightbehelpfultosaysomethinglikeIdont necessarilyviewtheseas
disadvantages,butratherchallengesthatIcanworktoovercome.
Whatarethebest/worstthingsaboutbeingadoctor/dentist?
Whatdoyouknowaboutbeingadoctor/dentistthatmakesyouwanttobeone?
Haveyouthoughtaboutwhatbeingadoctor/dentistmeans?
Explainyourunderstandingofacareerinmedicine/dentistry.
Whatdoyouthinkarethespecialchallengesthatyouwillencounterinyourmedical/dentalstudies?

Whatwouldbotheryoumostaboutstudyingmedicine/dentistry?
Howwouldyoureactifyoudidnotgetintothiscourse?
Hereyoumightsaysomethinglike,Iwouldbeverydisappointed,butIwouldconsiderwhereIwentwrongand
worktowardsremedyingthatsoI haveagreaterchanceofbeingsuccessfulnextyear.'Inthisway, youare
demonstratingbothyourcommitmenttoimprovementandyourgenuinedesiretobecomeadoctor/dentist.
Whatwillyoudoifyoudonotgetintothiscourse?
Here,theinterviewersaretryingtodetermineifyouhavereallythoughtabouttheoptionsandpossibleoutcome
ofyourapplication.Someresponsesmaybe:

Iwilltaketheyearoffandtryagainnextyear.
Iwillcommenceanotherhealthsciencecourse(eg.BachelorofScience,BachelorofHealthScience)and
tryagainnextyear(notethatenrollinginanothercoursewilllimittheuniversitiesthatyouareeligible
for).

Iwillcommenceanotherhealthsciencecourseandtrytogetinthroughgraduatemedicalentry.

Whymedicine/dentistryratherthananothercareer?
Yousayyouwanttohelppeople,sowhynotbecomeanurseordophysiotherapy?
Someideasare:

Asadoctor,youwillhavegreaterresponsibilityincaringforpatients(eg.decisionmaking)

Therearemoreopportunitiesforspecialisationinmedicine

Physiotherapyonlylooksatonlyoneareaofwellbeing,whereasmedicinetreatsthewholeperson(a
holisticapproach)

Whatqualitiesdoyouhavethatwillenableyoutobecomeagoodhealthprofessional/healthsciencestudent?
Theinterviewerswanttoknowthatyouhavethoughtaboutwhatisinvolvedinbeingahealthprofessional,and
whatqualitiesyouwillneedtohave. Try writingupaprofile oftheidealhealthprofessional/healthscience
studentandthinkaboutwhetheryouhavethesequalities.
Whatqualitiesshouldagooddoctor/dentisthave?
Wheredoyouseeyourselfinfive/tenyearstime?
Universitieswantstudentswhohavethoughtcarefullyaboutthecourseandtheimplicationsofthecourseontheir
futurepersonalandprofessionallife.Showthatyouareapersonwhoknowswheretheyaregoingandhasclear
directionintheirlives.
Inansweringthisquestion,makesureyoucoveryourfamily,careerandotherlongtermgoals.
Whatdoyouwanttospecialisein?
Afteryourfiveorsixyearundergraduatemedicalcourseandoneyearinternship,youwillneedtostartmakinga
decisionaboutspecialising.Today,evenGeneralPracticeisconsideredaspecialty,requiringanextrafouryears
training. Other specialities may include cardiology, rheumatology, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, oncology,
gynaecology,obstetrics,generalsurgery,paediatricsandgeriatrics.
Doyouunderstandhowmanyyearsoftrainingareinvolvedinspecialisinginthefieldmedicine?

Whatdoyouhopetogetoutofstudyingmedicine/dentistry?
Wouldyoueverputyourpatientsaheadofyourfamily?

WHYUS?
TherearemanyuniversitiesthatofferthecourseofyourinterestinAustralia.Theinterviewerswillwanttoknow
whyyouwanttostudythisparticularcourseinthisparticularstate.Theywanttoknowthatiftheyofferyoua
place,youwillacceptit.Thisquestionarisesinalmosteveryinterview.Toanswerthiseffectively,youwillneed
todoabitofresearchintothreekeyareas:a)thestateb)theuniversityandc)thespecificcourse(seebelow).
Whatcontingencieshaveyoumadetomoveinterstateifyougetin?Howdoyouplantosupportyourself?
Ifyoureally wanttoget into aninterstate university, youwillhaveput somethought into this. Doabit of
research:findoutwhatfacilitiesareavailableforinterstatestudentsattheuniversity(eg.HallsofResidence)and
knowwhatinterstatestudentsneedtodotoestablishthemselvesintheirnewstate.
Whydoyouwanttostudyatthisuniversity?
Whydoyouwanttostudymedicine/dentistryatthisuniversity,ratherthananyotheruniversity?
Telluswhatyouknowaboutthemedical/dentistrycourseatthisuniversity.

Thestate
Ifyouarelivinginthestateinwhichtheuniversityisbased,thiswillbemucheasier.Asimplestartingpointto
thequestionwhythisuniversity?wouldsimplybe:becauseIliveinthisstate.'
Interstatersmaybeataslightdisadvantage,fortwokeyreasons.Firstly,itishardertojustifywhyyouwould
movetoanotherstatetostudyataparticular university(especiallyifyour ownstateoffersasimilar course).
Secondly, universitiesare oftenunder pressure from the community to choose local students, andtherefore
preferstudentsfromwithinthestate.
Inlight ofthis, ifyouareaninterstater it isprobably not agood idea tovolunteer thisinformation(eg. by
mentioningthenameofyourschool).
Ifyouhaveachancetovisitthecity,great,ifnot,itmaybehelpfultotalktofriends/familywholivethereto
getageneralimpressionofit.

TheUniversityandspecificcourse
Youwillfindthattherearemanysourcesofinformationaboutuniversitiesandcourses.Thefollowingisalistof
resourcesthatstudentshavefounduseful.

Theuniversity website. Thisisarichsourceofinformationwhichgenerally coversallaspectsofthe

universityandcourse.

Universitybrochures.Itisimportantthatyougainacopyoftheofficialbrochureforthecourse(s)you
areconsidering,andthatyoureadtheminfull.Youcanobtainthisbyphoningtheadmissionsofficerof
theparticularcourse,orvisitingtheuniversity.

Admissions Officer. You should personally contact the admissions officer for each course you are
considering.Theyareoftenthebestsourceofinformation,especiallyonselectionprocedures.

Present and past students. Obviously, it is more useful if you talk to students who are doing the
particular course you are interested in, but even students in other courses can provide valuable

information that cannot be accessed elsewhere (eg. clubs at the university, the grounds, or the
atmosphere). Furthermore, if you mention the fact that you have spoken to past students, the
interviewersarelikelytoviewyouasmotivatedandkeen.

Theuniversityitself.Ifpractical,youmayfinditusefultovisittheuniversitytogetafeelforitandto
gainmoreinformationfromstudents,stafforliterature.

Your careers teacher. Your careers teacher may be able to provide you with information such as
brochuresandcontactsofpaststudentsatyourschoolwhoarecompletingaparticularcourse.

Youarelikelytogainmoreinformationthanyouneedfromthesesources,soitisimportanttobeselective.The
followinglistsoutlinewhattopicsyoushouldberesearching,asthesetopicsoftencomeupininterviewseither
explicitlyorimplicitly.
Whatyoushouldfindoutabouttheuniversity:

Itsethosorguidingprinciples
Itsgeneralfeelingoratmosphere.Forexample,anarticleinTheAgerecentlydescribedthedifferences
inatmospherebetweenMelbourneandMonashuniversities. MonashUniversity wasdescribedasmore
relaxed,whileMelbournewasmorecompetitive

Anycurrentnewswithintheuniversityorfaculty(eg.research)

Clubsandsocietiesbothrelatedandunrelatedtothecourseofyourchoice

Whatyoushouldfindoutaboutthecourse:

Whatisuniqueaboutit.Forexample,JamesCookUniversitymedicinehasafocusontropical,ruraland
Indigenoushealth.MelbourneUniversitymedicalgraduatesgaintwodegrees:anMBBSandaBachelorof
MedicalScience.

Thecoursestructure.Forexample,mostmedicalcoursesaredividedintoclinicalandpreclinicalyears.
Theymaytakebetweenfiveandsixyearstocomplete.

The content ofthe course. For example, the Monash University medical course isdivided into four
themes:personalandprofessionaldevelopment,thescientificbasisofmedicine,clinicalskillsandhealth
knowledgeandsociety.

Anyotherrelevantorinterestinginformation.Forexample,AdelaideUniversityoffers'selectives',where
youaregiventheopportunitytostudycoursesunrelatedtomedicine.

Linkthecourseandtheuniversitytoyourowninterests,valuesandprinciplesandshowagenuineinterestinthe
universityandcourse.Whileitisdifficulttotalkenthusiasticallyaboutthehistoryofauniversityforexample,it
can be done. For example, many people say they love the rich, historical architecture of the University of
Melbourneandthatitcreatesauniqueatmosphere.

Structureofmedicalschoolcourses
Itisimportant that yougainsome understandingofkey aspectsofhealthsciencecourses, discussedbelow.
Droppingafewtermsintheinterviewcanshowthatyouarekeenandhaveintimateknowledgeofthecourse.
Integratedcurriculum
Inthepast,themedicalcoursewasdividedupintovarioussubjectsyouwouldstudyanatomy,biochemistry,
pathology,radiologyinyourearlyyears,andwhenyoureachedyourclinicalyearsyouwouldsuddenlyhaveto
pulltogether allthisknowledgeandputittouse. Now, medicalcoursesareintegrated. Thismeansdifferent

thingsfordifferentuniversities,butbasicallyitmeansthatalltheseareasareputintoonesubjectmedicine.
Yourlearningisgenerallycasebased:youlearnaboutanillnessthroughaparticularcaseandexamineitfromall
sortsofperspectivesthebiochemicalbasis,possibleinvestigations,sociologicalandlegalissuesetc.
Problembasedlearning(PBL)
MostmedicalschoolsusethePBL(orPCLPatientCentredLearning)asthebasisoftheirlearning.Studentsare
generallydividedintosmallgroups.Atthestartoftheweek,thegroupreceivesacasethatdescribesaparticular
patientwhopresentswithaparticular medical condition, andawiderangeofsociologicalissuesaswell. The
students are encouraged to hypothesise about the possible condition and the treatments etc. that could be
provided. Throughouttheweek, they areencouragedtodoindividualresearchandparticipateinlecturesand
tutorialsthataimtofillgapsofknowledge. Attheendoftheweek,thegroupreassemblesandthestudents
sharewhattheyhavelearned.
Clinicalexperience
Medicalschoolsnowadaysareexposingstudentstohospitalsandhealthcarefacilitiesatamuchearlierstage.In
some universities, youwillbeexposedtoahospitalwithinthefirstcouple ofmonthsofbeginningthecourse.
Furthermore,youarelikelytobebasedsolelyinahospitalquiteearlyinyourdegreeatMonashUniversityyou
onlyspendtwoyearsofthefiveyeardegreeoncampus.
Selfdirectedlearning
Asahealthprofessional,youwillneedtoconstantlyupdateyourknowledgetoensurethatyourtreatmentsare
themostuptodateandeffectiveforyourpatient.Medicalresearchisconstantlyproducingnewdrugs,therapies
andwaysofthinkingaboutdisease,soitisvitalthathealthprofessionalsarelifelonglearners.'Assuch,health
sciencecoursesaredevelopedtoencourageindependentandselfdirectedlearning.Thisistheoppositeofbeing
spoonfed,whichcanoccurinhighschool.

CURRENTISSUESINHEALTH
GeneralKnowledge
Insomeinterviews,youwillbeaskedtodiscusscurrentissuesinhealth,whethernationwideorinyourparticular
state.Theinterviewersareattemptingtofindoutwhetheryouhaveknowledgeofthesysteminwhichyouwill
soonwork.Ifyoudosomeresearchandanswerthesequestionseffectively,youwillshowthatyouhaveahigh
degreeofgeneralknowledgeandaninterestinsocialandpoliticalissuesaffectinghealthcare.
Youshouldwatchthenewsorreadnewspapersregularlysoyouareawareofcurrentissues.Itcanbeusefulto
keepascrapbookofnewspaperclippingsthatyoucanrefertobeforeyourinterview.Itmayalsohelptodoabit
ofresearch.Somecurrenthealthrelatedissuesare:

Theshortageofdoctorsinruralandremoteareas
Fallingbulkbillingrates
Medicalindemnityinsurance
Hospitalwaitinglistsandfunding
Indigenoushealth
Roleofmedicalresearch
Theageingpopulation

Whataresomecurrentproblemswiththehealthsystem?
Whatdoyouseeasthebiggestchallengefacingthefieldofmedicine?
IfyouwereappointedtheheadofQueenslandhealth,whatwouldbeyourpriorities?Whatproblemsmightyou
encounterwhenyoucarriedoutthesetasks?

WhatisofspecialconcerntothehealthofQueenslandersincomparisontootherstates?

MedicalResearch
Whatistheroleofresearchinmedicine?
Withoutresearch,medicineasweknow itwouldnotexist.Researchhasthepotential toimprovethelivesof
thousandsofpeopleallovertheworld.InAustraliaespecially,itishighlyunderrated.Somehavearguedthatif
youreallywanttohelppeople,researchisthemosteffectivewaytodothis.
Theaimofresearchistodiscoveranddevelopnewtreatments,andimproveexistingones.
Giveexamplesofmedicalresearchandtheimpactthishashadonthefieldofmedicine.
Thiswillinvolveyoudoingsomeresearch.Ifyoucanfindanexampleofasignificantmedicaldiscoveryfromthe
universityyouareapplyingfor,allthebetter!
OneexampletogetyougoingistheCochlearimplant,whichwasdevelopedinAustralia.Itcompletelychanged
thewaywetreathearingdisorders,anddramaticallyimprovedthelivesofhearingimpairedpeopleacrossthe
world.

RuralHealth
We constantly hear in the media about the shortage of health professionals in rural areas. Many rural
communities have identified having a local GP as high on their list of priorities. In response to this, the
governmenthasintroducedavarietyofmeasures,oneofwhichistoencouragemedicalstudentstoworkinrural
areas on completion of their degree. The Medical Rural Bonded Scholarship and Rural Bonded Scheme are
examplesofthese.
Followingfromthis,interviewersarelikelytolookpositivelyuponcandidateswhoshowaninterestinruralhealth
andrecogniseboththeadvantagesifitandchallengesthatitposes.
Asahealthprofessionalworkinginaruralarea,youarelikelytofaceavarietyofmedicalproblemswithoutthe
usualresourcesandspecialistsforconsultationandreferral.Thiswillmeanyouwillhavetobeselfsufficientand
experiencedinawiderangeofmedicalpractice.Medicalpractitionersinruralareasareusuallyhighlyregarded
and important members of the community and generally gain greater satisfaction out of assisting rural
Australiansratherthanthoseinurbanareas.Thelifestyleofruralareasisafurtherattractivefeature,withlack
oftrafficandpollutionandthenaturalbeautyofthecountry.
However,workinginaruralareaposessignificantchallengestomedicalpractitioners.Thedistancefromurban
centrescanbepersonallyandprofessionallydifficulttocopewith.Lackofhospitalsandbackupservicescanbe
frustrating. Limited job opportunities for spouses and educational opportunities for children can be another
concern.
Areyoupreparedtoworkinruralareas?
Whatisyourattitudetowardsruralmedicine?
Howdoyoufeelaboutworkinginaruralarea?
Whatproblemsdoyouforeseeforadoctorworkinginaruralcommunity?
Whatwouldbetheadvantagesanddisadvantagesofworkinginaruralsetting?

IndigenousHealth
Indigenoushealthposesamajorchallengeformedicalpractitionersandpolicymakers.ComparedtoAustralians

nationally,IndigenousAustralianshaveapooroverallstandardofhealth.Lifeexpectancyissignificantlylower,
andratesofheartdisease,diabetesandsubstanceabuseissignificantlyhigheramongAboriginalpeople.
Thecauseofpoor healthiscomplex,tiedtothehistoricalabusesthathavetakenplacealongwithsocialand
economic disadvantage. Cultural differences and negative attitudes pose major barriers to bringing about
effectivereform.
WhatisyourattitudetowardsAboriginalhealth?
WhatchallengesdoyouthinkyouwouldfaceifyouworkedinanAboriginalcommunity?

COMMUNICATION,EMPATHYANDREASONINGSKILLS
Interviews will often involve minitests that assess various skills that are important in being a health
practitioner.For example,for OralHealthat Sydney University, applicantswillneedtotakepartinamanual
skillstest.Typically,however,thesetestswillassesslisteningskills,thecapacitytocommunicate,empathyand
reasoningskills.

Detechnicalisation

Inthistypeofquestion,theintervieweewillberequiredtoexplainadifficultandtechnicalconcept(s)insimple
languagesothatalaypersonwouldbeabletounderstandit.
Nowadayspatientsmustfullyunderstandtheirillnessandthevariousoptionstodealwithit.Youwillhavespent
uptofifteenyearsormoretrainingtobecomeaspecialisedhealthpractitioner,andyouwillneedtoconveythis
knowledgetosomeonewhomaynothavefinishedhighschool.Thecapacitytodetechnicaliseisthusavitalskill
ofahealthprofessional.
Thispartoftheinterviewdoesnotintendtotestwhetheryourexplanationsaretechnicallycorrecttoeverydetail
itaimstotestwhetheryoucanconveyfundamentalconceptsineasytounderstandlanguage.
Followingaresomepointers:

Explaintheconceptasifyouweretalkingtoachild

Donotassumeanytechnicalknowledge

Useanalogiesandexamplestosimplifyyourexplanationandaidunderstanding

Avoidusingothertechnicaltermsinyourexplanation.Ifyouhavetousethem,makesureyouexplain
themaswell

Practice!Explainconceptstofamilymembersorfriends.Iftheyreallydohavelittleideaoftheterm,
evenbetter!

Pleaseexplaintheconceptofasifyouweretalkingtoalayperson/nonspecialistaudience.
ThisisMr[pointstooneofthepanellists],andhehasnospecialknowledgeofChemistry.Pleaseexplainthe
conceptoftohim.
Youarearadioannouncer.Pleasedescribethetermtoyourlistenersinsimpletermsusingonlyyourvoice[ie.
nogesturesallowed]
Youmay begivenabrief,technicaldescriptionofthetermoranimage. Termsareoftendrawnfromyear12
Chemistry(sincethisisaprerequisiteforentry intomany courses), butcanbeofa moregeneralnature(for
example,atUQinthepastyouhavebeenaskedtodescribebothascientificandnonscientificterm).

Sometermsareeasiertoexplainthanothers,anditisoftenamatterofluckwhichone(s)youget.Ifyouare
givenachoice,choosecarefully.Someofthesimplertermsmayactuallybeharder toexplain.Itisvitalthat
youtakesometimetochooseandthinkaboutthetermbeforelaunchingintoyouranswer.
Ifyouhavenotbeenabletoexplaintheconcepteffectively,youmaybeaskedtorepeattheexercise.Ifyou
havenoideawhatthetermmeans,youcanaskforanotherterm,butthisshouldonlybeusedasalastresort.
Somescientifictermsthathavecomeupinthepastinclude:

Rusting

Solution
pH

Electrode

Buffer

Denaturation
Nucleus

Catalyst

Detergent
Molecule

DNA

Surfacetension

Somenonscientific/sociopoliticaltermsthathavecomeupinthepastinclude:

Socialclass
IQ

Jargon

Personality

Statisticalsignificance
Peergrouppressure

Stereotyping

Feedback
Ensuringpatientsunderstandtheirillnessandtreatmentregimeisessentialiftheyaretoadheretoiteffectively.
Itisthereforeimportantthatyouhavetechniquesforcheckingthatapersonhasunderstoodsomethingyouhave
triedtoexplaintothem.
Youhavejustexplainedtoyour younger sister how tosetupanemailaccount. How do youmakesureshe
understoodit?
Someideasare:

Askhertorelatebacktoyouwhatsheunderstood

Askifshehasanyquestions

Askhersomekeyquestionstoassessunderstanding

Followupaftershehascompletedthetaskandseeifshehadanydifficulties

DebatingaTopic
Intheinterviewyoumaybeaskedtoargueanddefendapointofview.Thisskillisimportantinboththestudy
andpracticeofhealthsciences.Youwillbelearninginagroupenvironment,andwillneedtoknowhowtodiscuss
anddebateissueswithyourpeersinanobjectiveandconstructivemanner.Later,asahealthprofessional,you
willoftenneedtojustifyyourdecisions.Thepatient,familyandotherhealthprofessionalsmaychallengeyour
judgement,andyouneedtopresenttheevidencewhileconsideringanyopposingargumentsobjectively.
Youmay begivenalistoftopicstochoosefrom, or theissuemay ariseoutofgeneraldiscussionor evena

newspaperclipping.
Itisvitalthatyourargumentsarecoherent,persuasive,solid,andbackedupbyevidence.Todothis,youmust
havethoughtabouttheissueindepth. Thisisdifficulttodointheinterview, soyoushouldtrytoclarifyyour
pointofviewonsomekeyissuesbeforehand(alistcanbefoundbelow).
Takeastancedontsitonthefence.Ifyoudo,youwillonlyfrustratetheinterviewers,whowilleventuallyforce
you into taking a position. This does not mean you should take an extreme view, unless you have solid
argumentstobackitup.Generally,amoderateviewarguedstronglyisthebestoption.
Make sure youmentionthe opposingviewpoint to show you have consideredall sidesof the issue. A good
technique to use is rebuttal. It shows you have considered the opposing viewpoint, it is a powerful tool of
argumentanditreducestheextenttowhichtheinterviewerscanchallengeyou.
Theinterviewerswilloftenhavealistofcounterarguments,andwillplaydevilsadvocatetoattempttochange
yourview.Itisimportanttoacknowledgeandappreciatetheopposingargument,butshowwhyyourargumentis
superior.Youshouldalwaysconductyourselfinacalmandrespectfulmannerdontloseyourcool,getflustered
ortakeitpersonally.
Someexamplesoftopicsthatyoumaybeaskedtodebateare:

Abortion

Euthanasia
Capitalpunishment
Geneticsandcloning

Stemcellresearch
Alternativemedicines

Taxpayerssubsidisinghealthcare/medicines

Governmentsponsorshipofresearch

TheBrainDrain(lossoftalentedAustralianresearchersoverseas)

Sagas
Sagasmayassessmanyabilities:yourlisteningskills,yourabilitytoselectrelevantinformation,yourmemory
skills, your integrity, your conflict resolutionskillsandyour capacity to beempatheticandnonjudgemental.
Theseskillsarevitalaspectstobeingahealthprofessional.
Asahealthprofessionalyouwilloftenhavetolistentoacomplexmedicalhistoryfromapatientorcolleagueand
makedecisionsorassessmentsbasedonit,onthespot.Youwillalsoneedtoputyourselfintothesituationofa
patientandempathisewiththemthisiscriticaltoestablishingrapport.
Inthese tasks, it isparticularly important to be nonjudgemental. It isimportant to realise that we are all
differentweallhaveavarietyoflife experiences, personalities, beliefs, attitudesandlifestyles. Oneisnot
betterthananother,theyaresimplydifferent.Rememberthatallinterviewersarelookingforcaring,accepting
andbroadmindeddoctors.
Beawarethattheinterviewerswillbeobservingyourbodylanguageandfacialexpressionsduringthistime
makesuretheyareappropriatetothestoryandyourresponse.
Generallytheinterviewerwilleitherreadoutapassage,orwillgivetheintervieweeawrittenversionofit,or
both.Theinterviewerwillthenasksomequestionsaboutthepassage.
Thesagasmayormaynotbehealthrelated.Theyaresimilarinsomewaystothescenariospresentedtoyouin
section2oftheUMAT.
Followingaresomeexamplesofsagasthathavebeenpresentedtocandidatesinthepast.

MrsWrightsEstate
MrsWrightisawealthyelderlywidowerwholivesinScotland.Shehadahousekeeper,Susy,whohadworkedfor
herfordecades.ThelasttimeherfamilymembersvisitedherinScotland,shehadahearingaidfittedandwas
oftenveryirritable.WhenMrsWrightdied, herfamilyexpectedthatpartofher wealthwouldbeleftto Susy.
However,theentireestatewaslefttoherson,Jeremy.JeremyfeltthatSusyhadbeenpaidwellasanemployee
ofhismotheranddidnotfeelthatSusywasentitledtoanypartofthewealth.Jeremyswife,however,feltthat
Susyhadbeenaloyal,trustinganddevotedfriendofMrsWrightandthatsheshouldhavereceivedatleastsome
oftheestate.TheybothfeltthattheremighthavebeensomereasonwhyMrsWrighthadnotleftanymoneyto
Susyareasonthattheydidnotknowabout.Theywerebothunsureofwhattodo.
Pleasesummarisethestory.
Thisisgenerallythefirstquestionthatisaskedinanysaga.Youshouldsummarisethestoryinnomorethan2or
3sentencesdontrepeatitverbatim.Itisimportantthatyouuseyourownwordsandpushsomeoftheideas
toshowthatyouhavethoughtaboutit.Theinterviewersarenotlookingfor someone whoparrotsoffbitsof
information,butsomeonewholistensactivelyandthinksaboutthekeypointsinwhathasbeensaid.
Whatarethemajorissuesinthepassage?
At Flinders University (a graduate medicine program) for example, you may be required to summarise the
scenarioonawhiteboard,guidingtheinterviewersthroughthemajorissues.
WhatisthesignificanceofMrsWrighthavingahearingaid?
WhatsortofmoodwasMrsWrightinwhentheyvisitedher?
WhatwastherelevanceofthefactthatMrsWrightsestatewassubstantial?
WouldthesituationhavebeendifferentifJeremyhadsiblings?Why?
YourFriend
Huangisagoodfriendofyours.Heisfriendlyandacommittedstudent,butyouneverseehimoutofschool.
When you ask him about this he tells you that his parents will not let him go out after school under any
circumstances.
Whatdoyoudoforhim?
ItisimportantthatyouunderstandthatthingsaredifferentforHuangandnotmakeanyjudgementsabouthis
parents.Hisparentsmayhaveallsortsofmotivationsforcreatingsuchrulesmaybetheyareconcernedabout
hissafety,forexample.
Trytothinkofpracticalandcreativesolutionstotheproblem.
Energydrinks
Energy drinks contain high amounts of caffeine. Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant, which can
increaseyourstateofarousal.OneFridaynight,Chrisdrinksmanyenergydrinksinsuccession,thendamagesa
parkedvehicle.Whentakentothepolicestation,heblamestheenergydrinks.
Whydoyouthinkenergydrinksaresopopularamongyoungpeople?
Somethingsyoucoulddiscussaretheadvertisingcampaignstargetedatyoungpeople,theneedtobeawakeso
youcanfitmoreintoyourdayandthewishtogethigh.'
DoyouthinkChrisexcuseisavalidone?

Howwouldyouletpeopleknowthatdrinkingthesedrinksinexcessisnotagoodidea?
Thisisaquestiononhealthpromotion. Some ideasyoumightcome upwithinclude usingmediaandyouth
forums,withtheoverridingaimtoeducateandchangetheattitudesofthoseatrisk(youngpeople).
Theboyandthemother
Insomeinterviews,youmayevenbegivenapicture.OnequestionthathascomeupinUWAinvolvesapicture
ofaboyandhismothersittinginanalley.
Whatdoyouthinktheboywouldbethinking?
Whatdoyouthinkhismotherwouldbethinking?
Whatdoyouthinkhisgrandparentsmightbethinking?
Ifyouwerehisdoctor,whatwouldyoudo?
Youmightthinkaboutgettingthepairincontactwithcommunityservicesforhousing,familyandsupportservice
facilities.

CONCLUSION
Attheendoftheinterview,youmaybeaskedifthereisanythingelseyouwouldliketoaddthatwasnotcovered
intheinterview,and/orwhetheryouhaveanyquestionsfortheinterviewers.
Doyouhaveanyquestionsofus?
Itisagoodideatohavesomethingpreparedtoask,asitshowsyouarekeen.Dontasksomethingthatcanbe
easily answeredby readingthe Universityscourseguide or lookingonthe internet. Ask somethingtechnical
aboutfurtherstudy,studyinruralareas,combineddegreesetc.
Doyouhaveanythingelsetoadd?
Hereyoumaysaysomethingthathasnotbeencoveredorgivenenoughemphasisinthe interview.Leavethe
interviewerswithapositivefinalimpressionofyou.

THINGSTHATMAYTHROWYOUOFFBALANCE
Interviewersmay occasionally throwinaquestionthatisunexpectedor behaveinan offputtingway. These
techniquesmay beusedtogainspecificinformationand/or toseehowyoureactto stressfulor unexpected
situations.
Themostimportantthingisnottoloseyourcoolmaintainyourcomposureandprofessionalism.
Haveyouevercheatedorhelpedafriendtocheat?
Whereareyoufrom?
HaveyoubeentoanypreparationcoursesfortheUMATorinterviews?
Whatisthelastmovieyousaw?
Doyouseekfriendswhowilllaughatyourjokes,andwhatdoesthissayaboutyou?
Haveyoueverbeentoahospital?

Whydontyouwanttogetintomedicineinyourownstate?
Ifthereissomethinginparticularthatattractsyouaboutthemedicalcourse(eg.youliketheideaofcompleting
anotherdegreebeforeyourmedicaldegreeasinUQ),saythis.Otherwise,youmightsaythingslike,youwantto
becomemoreindependentandexperiencenewthings.
thelengthypause
Insomeinterviews,theinterviewersmaypauseforwhatseemslikeanage.Generallythepurposeofthepause
istotestifyouarelackingconfidence.Ifyouhaveansweredthequestiontoyoursatisfaction,thebestguidefor
whattodoistorefrainfromsayinganythingmoreandsmileattheinterviewerstoconveyconfidence.
Thenastyinterviewer
Inmostinterviews,theinterviewersarekindandfriendly. However, insome interviews, theinterviewerswill
assumedifferentrolesforparticularquestions.Onewillbetheniceone,theotherwillbemorehostile.Donot
getthrownoffbalance.Theinterviewersaretestingwhetheryoucanremaincalmandprofessionalatalltimes.
Makesureyougiveeachpersonequalattentionandeyecontactdontjustfocusonthenicerone.
Insomepartsoftheinterview,youmayfeelthataninterviewer(s)ischallengingeverythingyousay.Thiscanbe
quitedisconcerting.Itisimportanttorealisethatthisispartoftheinterviewprocess.Theexaminersaretesting
whetheryouareabletodefendyourpointofviewanddosowithoutlosingyourcool.