Questions to Ask a Doctor About Their Job
Curious, respectful prompts that reveal how physicians think, what the work is really like, and how they balance medicine, ethics, and life.
1What does a typical day look like for you across clinic, hospital, and admin work?
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What does a typical day look like for you across clinic, hospital, and admin work?
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Why this works
Builds a realistic picture of tasks, context switching, and time pressure.
2What parts of your job feel most meaningful—and most draining?
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What parts of your job feel most meaningful—and most draining?
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Why this works
Surfaces intrinsic motivators and sustained stressors.
3How do you make decisions when evidence is limited or ambiguous?
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How do you make decisions when evidence is limited or ambiguous?
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Why this works
Reveals clinical judgment and risk tolerance under uncertainty.
4How do you explain complex tradeoffs to patients so they can choose confidently?
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How do you explain complex tradeoffs to patients so they can choose confidently?
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Why this works
Highlights communication and shared decision-making.
5What skills from residency you still use daily—and what did you learn on the job?
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What skills from residency you still use daily—and what did you learn on the job?
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Why this works
Separates training foundations from practical, experiential learning.
6What’s your approach to work–life boundaries and recovery after hard days?
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What’s your approach to work–life boundaries and recovery after hard days?
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Why this works
Shows resilience strategies that keep careers sustainable.
7What qualities make colleagues great to work with in your specialty?
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What qualities make colleagues great to work with in your specialty?
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Why this works
Maps team norms and collaboration priorities.
8How do you stay current with guidelines and research without burning out?
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How do you stay current with guidelines and research without burning out?
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Why this works
Explores learning systems and time management.
9What common misconceptions do people have about your field?
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What common misconceptions do people have about your field?
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Why this works
Corrects myths and sets realistic expectations.
10How do you approach end-of-life conversations or bad-news delivery?
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How do you approach end-of-life conversations or bad-news delivery?
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Why this works
Touches ethical communication and compassion practices.
11What metrics matter most to you for patient outcomes or quality?
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What metrics matter most to you for patient outcomes or quality?
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Why this works
Connects values to measurable practice goals.
12What’s a clinical case that changed how you practice?
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What’s a clinical case that changed how you practice?
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Why this works
Yields a memorable story with transferable lessons.
13How do you coordinate with nurses, pharmacists, and allied health?
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How do you coordinate with nurses, pharmacists, and allied health?
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Why this works
Covers interprofessional teamwork that drives safety.
14What would you tell your younger self about choosing a specialty?
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What would you tell your younger self about choosing a specialty?
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Why this works
Offers reflective career guidance with hindsight.
15How do you handle patient requests that conflict with best practice?
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How do you handle patient requests that conflict with best practice?
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Why this works
Explores boundaries, empathy, and education.
16What’s one improvement you wish every clinic or hospital made?
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What’s one improvement you wish every clinic or hospital made?
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Why this works
Invites systems thinking and quality improvements.
17How do you think AI and new tech will change your work?
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How do you think AI and new tech will change your work?
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Why this works
Looks ahead to evolving workflows and skills.
18What advice do you have for avoiding burnout and staying fulfilled?
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What advice do you have for avoiding burnout and staying fulfilled?
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Why this works
Shares longevity tactics and mindset shifts.
19What do you wish patients understood before appointments?
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What do you wish patients understood before appointments?
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Why this works
Improves patient partnership and visit efficiency.
20If you could redesign a part of medical training, what would you change?
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If you could redesign a part of medical training, what would you change?
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Why this works
Surfaces ideas for better education and patient care.
Professional Curiosity With Respect
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Ask About Judgment, Not Gossip
Protect Privacy
Avoid patient identifiers; ask about patterns and principles.
Seek Process
Probe how decisions are made, not just outcomes.
Honor Limits
If a topic is sensitive or off-limits, move on gracefully.
Conversation Flow
Three Acts
Common Pitfalls
Sensationalism
Stick to learning—avoid fishing for shocking stories.
Advice-Wrangling
Don’t seek personal medical advice; ask for general insights.