How would you handle a situation where two patients requested your attention at the same time?

Employers use this question to determine how you prioritize tasks and manage your time. It also assists them in understanding how you would interact with patients who may be at odds with one another. Try to demonstrate your communication skills, ability to multitask, and respect for other people's time in your response.

Interactions between patients and medical practitioners can sometimes be challenging. You have all had consultations where the interaction was not optimal, either as medical practitioners or as a patient ourselves. Neither normally wishes to cause a difficult situation but common misunderstandings, by both groups, often result in such an occurrence. Communication and listening skills are essential for every consultation but in particular, for situations where the interaction may become difficult.

Example: “If two patients requested my attention at the same time, I would first assess the urgency of each patient’s needs. If one patient had an urgent medical need that required immediate attention, I would prioritize their request and address it as soon as possible. However, if both requests were non-urgent, I would take a moment to explain to both patients that I am only able to attend to one person at a time, and ask them which one they would like me to assist first. This allows for both patients to feel respected and heard while also ensuring that all tasks are completed in a timely manner.”