20 Questions

Physician Interview Questions to Ask

Essential questions to ask during a physician interview to understand the role, assess fit, and make an informed decision about your medical career.

1

What are the main responsibilities and daily tasks for this physician position?

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Why this works

Helps you understand the specific duties and what a typical day would look like in this role.

2

What is the patient population and what types of cases will I be handling?

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Why this works

Important for understanding the clinical focus and whether it aligns with your interests and expertise.

3

What are the key challenges facing the medical practice or department?

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Why this works

Reveals current priorities and challenges you'd be expected to help address.

4

What opportunities are there for professional development and continuing education?

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Why this works

Shows your commitment to growth and helps you understand advancement possibilities.

5

What is the practice's approach to patient care and quality improvement?

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Why this works

Reveals the practice's commitment to patient care and continuous improvement.

6

What are the busiest times and how does the team handle workload?

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Why this works

Helps you understand patient volume and how the team manages peak periods.

7

What opportunities are there for advancement within the practice?

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Why this works

Shows your interest in long-term growth and helps you understand career paths.

8

What is the practice's approach to work-life balance and physician wellbeing?

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Why this works

Important for understanding expectations and whether the practice supports physician wellbeing.

9

What are the most important skills and qualities for success in this role?

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Why this works

Helps you understand what they value most and how you can position yourself as a strong candidate.

10

What is the practice's approach to training and onboarding new physicians?

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Why this works

Shows how you'll be supported during your transition into the role.

11

What opportunities are there for working with other healthcare professionals?

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Why this works

Reveals opportunities for collaboration and understanding the broader healthcare team.

12

What is the practice's approach to technology and electronic health records?

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Why this works

Shows the practice's commitment to technology and staying current with healthcare innovations.

13

What opportunities are there for specialization in specific areas of medicine?

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Why this works

Reveals opportunities for developing expertise in particular areas of medicine.

14

What is the practice's approach to diversity and inclusion?

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Why this works

Shows the practice's values and commitment to creating an inclusive workplace.

15

What opportunities are there for networking and professional development?

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Why this works

Shows your interest in building your professional network and continuing to learn.

16

What is the practice's approach to performance reviews and feedback?

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Why this works

Reveals the feedback culture and how your development will be supported.

17

What opportunities are there for working on special projects or initiatives?

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Why this works

Shows your interest in contributing to important projects and initiatives.

18

What is the practice's approach to physician recognition and rewards?

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Why this works

Reveals how the practice acknowledges and rewards good performance.

19

What opportunities are there for mentoring and learning from experienced physicians?

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Why this works

Shows your interest in learning and growth and helps you understand available support systems.

20

What questions should I be asking that I haven't thought of?

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Why this works

Allows the interviewer to provide additional important information you might not have considered.

Succeeding in Physician Interviews

Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.

Best Practices for Physician Interviews

Research the Practice

Learn about the practice's mission, values, and recent developments in healthcare.

Prepare Clinical Questions

Be ready to discuss clinical cases, medical knowledge, and relevant experience.

Show Interest in Patient Care

Demonstrate your commitment to patient care and continuous improvement.

Physician Interview Topics

Role and Responsibilities

1
What are the main responsibilities for this position?
2
What is the patient population?
3
What are the key challenges facing the practice?

Growth and Development

1
What opportunities are there for professional development?
2
What are the opportunities for advancement?
3
What is the practice's approach to training?

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Don't Focus Only on Compensation

Consider the complete package including benefits, culture, and growth opportunities.

Avoid Generic Questions

Ask specific questions about the role and practice rather than general questions.

Don't Ignore Practice Culture

Pay attention to the practice's values and whether they align with your own.

Interview Templates

The Role Explorer

1
Step 1: Start with: 'What are the main responsibilities for this position?'
2
Step 2: Follow with: 'What is the patient population?'
3
Step 3: Explore: 'What are the key challenges facing the practice?'

The Growth Seeker

1
Step 1: Ask: 'What opportunities are there for professional development?'
2
Step 2: Explore: 'What are the opportunities for advancement?'
3
Step 3: Connect: 'What is the practice's approach to training?'

Further Reading

Physician Career Development
Medical Practice Management
Healthcare Interview Preparation
Building Your Medical Network

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