A Bumper Guide to Interview Preparation for UK Med Schools
Guest Series by Josh from MedPrepUK
As someone who has navigated the medical school application process and is now an NHS Doctor, I want to share some insights with those still applying.
My primary advice is to focus on the basics and keep it simple. Many applicants worry about standing out, but it’s crucial to remember that making a strong impression often comes from doing the basic things well. A confident and comfortable applicant, who behaves and communicates like a future medical student, is more impressive than one who knows extensive content but struggles with basic conversation. So, before trying to ‘stand out,’ ensure you excel at the fundamentals consistently.
Another important tip is to prepare well for fundamental interview questions. Don’t dismiss them as too common or unimportant. Often, applicants overlook these because they think, ‘They’re asked so often, they won’t come up,’ or ‘They don’t seem crucial.’ However, these questions are vital for demonstrating your motivation for pursuing medicine. Being ready to answer queries like ‘Why Medicine?’, ‘Why not another profession?’, and ‘Why this university, city, or course?’ ensures you’re not caught off guard. These questions help articulate your personal reasons and passion for the field.
I’d like to emphasise the importance of maintaining your self-belief, regardless of any setbacks. It’s common for applicants to feel disheartened after a rejection or a perceived poor interview performance. I understand this feeling personally, having faced rejections myself. However, it’s crucial to keep a positive attitude and continue preparing diligently for opportunities. Remember, applying to medical school itself demonstrates significant ambition and ability. Rejections and mistakes are part of the journey, even in medical school. The key is how you recover and learn from these experiences.
Finally, remember that many of you applying to medical school will eventually achieve your dream of becoming a doctor. The journey may be tough and full of challenges, but it’s essential to maintain your self-belief and work hard for your desired medical school placement. Wishing all applicants the very best—believe in yourself, you’ve got this!
If you’re just starting out with interview preparations and feel uncertain about where to begin, this section is the ideal starting point. I’ll outline a structured approach to kickstart your interview prep. However, it’s important to remember that this is not the only way to prepare; you should adapt it to fit your individual needs.
The first step in preparing for medical school interviews is to identify the type of interview your chosen school conducts. If you already know, proceed to the next step. If not, research is crucial. Most schools detail their interview process on their websites in a section typically titled “Medicine Admissions Interviews“. Interviews are usually Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI) or panel interviews, each requiring different skill sets. For an in-depth understanding of these types, consult resources like “General Breakdown of Interview Types.” Once you’re familiar with the interview style and what to expect, move to the next step.
The second step involves understanding what a typical interview answer looks like. If you’re already familiar with this, proceed to step 3. If not, start by reviewing examples of interview questions, as this is an effective way to learn the basics of interview preparation. Explore resources like “General Practice Questions + Model Responses” to read through sample answers I’ve provided. This will help you get a sense of the structure a typical interview answer should have. Move to step 3 once you’re comfortable with the format of interview answers.
Step three focuses on familiarising yourself with structured techniques to answer interview questions. If you’re already aware of these, you can move to step four. Otherwise, explore methods like the “STARR TECHNIQUE,” “ICE TECHNIQUE,” “CAMP TECHNIQUE,” “SPIES TECHNIQUE,” and “SPIKES (Clinical Communication and Breaking Bad News).” These techniques are elaborated with relevant examples to demonstrate their application. While not mandatory, using these structured approaches is recommended to enhance the coherence of your responses. Advance to step four once you’re comfortable employing these techniques in crafting your answers.
Step four is about understanding and applying reflective techniques. If you are already familiar with these, proceed to step five. If not, explore the “Reflection Techniques” section. Initially, these techniques might seem complex, but mastering them is invaluable for reflecting on and preparing relevant examples for interview questions. Move on to step five once you have gathered appropriate examples for use in interviews.
Step five involves gaining knowledge about the National Health Service (NHS). If you’re already informed about the NHS, you can move to step six. If not, it’s crucial to familiarise yourself with topics like “Values of the NHS,” “Good Medical Practice (GMP) Domains,” and “Key Bodies You Should Know.” Understanding the NHS is vital for your interviews, as it’s likely the setting for your future career. The values and structure of the NHS often feature in interview questions, either directly or indirectly. Proceed to step six when you’re comfortable integrating NHS values and information into your interview responses where relevant.
Step six is about ensuring you’re well-versed in the core content needed for medical interviews. If you’re already knowledgeable in this area, proceed to step seven. If not, delve into topics such as “The Four Pillars of Medical Ethics,” “Consent to Treatment,” “Medical Ethics Concepts,” “The Doctrine of Double Effect,” “Medicine (The Types),” “Patient Confidentiality,” and “Why This University, City, Course (UCC)?” Familiarise yourself with these subjects, and once you feel confident in your understanding, you can advance to the next step.
Step seven involves understanding current “Hot Topics” in healthcare. If you’re up to date, you can move to step eight. If not, explore the “Hot Topics” section. The healthcare landscape is constantly evolving, so some topics might lose relevance over time. However, certain issues, like the Charlie Gard and Alfie Evans cases, have profoundly influenced UK healthcare despite their age. Familiarise yourself with these topics and their impacts, and once you can discuss them knowledgeably, proceed to step eight.
Step eight emphasises the importance of practice. If you haven’t started, now is the time. Formulating perfect answers in your mind is not enough; you must be able to articulate them verbally. Practice through voice calls, turn on your cameras and microphones, and engage actively. If you’ve already been practicing, keep at it. Continual practice is key. As the saying goes, ‘practice makes perfect.’ So, keep honing your skills to excel in your medical interviews.
In this concluding section, I’d like to emphasise a few points:
- This approach to interview preparation is a personal recommendation, not a one-size-fits-all solution. Adjust it to suit your unique needs and what you wish to gain from this guide.
- Feeling lost or unsure at the start is normal, which is why this section is designed to support and guide you in your interview preparation journey.
- Preparing for interviews can be daunting, but the effort and time you invest are crucial differentiators.
- I focus on techniques before content because understanding the structural approach to questions is key. Once you grasp this, you can more effectively fill in with content. Feel free to adapt this order to suit your preference.
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