Being a physician requires interacting with others on a daily basis, especially when they are experiencing distress. Doing so effectively requires a dose of empathy and the ability to build connections. As a result, it should come as no surprise that medical schools are interested in applicants’ ability to connect with others during difficult times.
One way medical school admissions committees determine whether you possess this skill is through patient-based scenarios in the multiple mini interview. In an MMI, schools may present you with a situation that involves interacting with a patient and then ask you how you would navigate it.
Alternatively, the prompt may involve role-playing, in which you are required to interact with an actor playing the role of a standardized patient.
[Know what to expect during a medical school multiple mini interview.]
Consider, for example, a scenario where a patient is asking for medicinal marijuana for seizures. Beyond your ability to apply problem-solving and critical-thinking skills to address the practical and ethical elements of the patient’s request, medical schools also want to know that you can show empathy toward this patient.
Although the situations in MMIs will vary, here are five common strategies you can employ to connect with patients.
1. Listen: It is always a good idea to give patients the opportunity to speak and be hear d, particularly when they come in distress .
Start with an open-ended question, such as, “How are you doing?” By doing this, you give the patient the opportunity to open up and share his or her feelings.
Take time to carefully listen and make your patient ‘s voice heard. Oftentimes this can be very comforting for the person and can help you build rapport.
2. Express care and concern: It is important that patients know you will care for them. Whatever the scenario, find an opportunity to share with the patient that you are concerned about his or her well-being, that you are there to help and that the patient’s health is your No. 1 priority. This is important in helping the patient feel he or she can trust you as an ally.
Consider an example of a male patient seeking medicinal marijuana. Even if you are uncomfortable prescribing marijuana, before you state your position, tell the patient that you care about him and that your goal is to help him feel better. This will help the patient feel taken care of, even if he does not ultimately receive the marijuana treatment he is seeking.
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3. Ask why: You are likely to encounter an MMI scenario where a patient comes to you asking for an unconventional treatment. Alternatively, you may encounter a patient who is reluctant to accept a treatment that is proven to be effective.
In these scenarios, you may be tempted to walk into the encounter and begin with a lecture aimed at persuading the patient. However, before you make such an assumption, take the time to understand where the patient is coming from.
Asking patients why can give you a better understanding of their point of view and help you address their specific concerns. This is also a great way to empower patients and mak e them feel that their perspective matters.
4. Take an interest in patients’ lives: One way to build closer relationships with patients is to get to know them on a personal level. You can do this by asking them about their family, work, hobbies or other aspects of their lives that they may be interested in sharing. This is a great way to learn more about them and demonstrate that you are genuinely interested in who they are.
[Learn six ways to ace scenario-based questions in medical school interviews.]
5. Employ effective body language: Your nonverbal communication is an effective method of connecting with patients and helping them feel cared for.
If you are presented with a role-play situation in which you are asked to interact with a standardized patient, use your body language to establish rapport. If you are asked to describe how you would navigate an MMI scenario involving a patient, explain the specific nonverbal communication skills you would draw on.
Some effective ways to communicate nonverbally include sitting down with the patient and making eye contact. Patients often feel that their provider cares for them more if he or she sits down when interacting with them. Additionally, looking patients in the eye and smiling when you speak can help them feel more cared for and connected.
Remember that connecting with patients and empathizing with them cannot be entirely formulaic. Do not try to memorize these points but rather consider how you can adapt and apply these to various MMI scenarios. After all, these skills won’t just help you ace the interview, but they may also come in handy as you embark on your medical education and have the privilege of caring for patients.
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Show Empathy in Medical School Multiple Mini Interviews originally appeared on usnews.com
