Preparing for Your Medical School Interview at Queen's University

Queen's University School of Medicine conducts its medical school interviews using the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format. In this process, applicants rotate through a series of short, timed stations—usually about eight to ten stations, each lasting approximately eight minutes.

At each station, you'll encounter different scenarios or questions designed to assess qualities like communication skills, ethical reasoning, empathy, and problem-solving abilities. Interviewers may include faculty members, medical students, or community representatives, offering a diverse range of perspectives.

To truly stand out, you will want a deep understanding of Ontario's healthcare landscape, current provincial and national policies, pressing social issues, and significant health-related events across Canada.

This guide provides in-depth insights to help you deliver exceptional responses, demonstrating your commitment to the medical profession and the broader communities you will serve.

1. Embrace Queen's University's Mission and Educational Approach

Commitment to Excellence and Leadership in Medical Education

• Innovative Curriculum:

  • Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME): Queen's is a leader in implementing CBME, emphasizing individualized learning, early clinical exposure, and continuous assessment.

  • Interprofessional Education: Encourages collaboration across healthcare disciplines to promote teamwork and improve patient outcomes.

• Research and Global Health:

  • Translational Research: Focus on bridging laboratory discoveries with clinical applications, particularly in areas like cancer research, neuroscience, and cardiovascular health.

  • Global Health Initiatives: Partnerships and programs aimed at improving health outcomes internationally and addressing global health challenges.

How to Use This in Your Interview:

• Alignment with Values: Express enthusiasm for Queen's educational philosophy and how it aligns with your learning style and career goals.

• Contribution to Excellence: Highlight experiences that demonstrate leadership, innovation, and a commitment to advancing medical education and practice.

2. Understand Ontario's Healthcare Policies and Systems

Ontario Health Teams (OHTs)

• Integrated Care Model:

  • Purpose: OHTs aim to provide seamless, patient-centered care by connecting healthcare providers across sectors—hospitals, primary care, mental health services, and community organizations.

  • Province-Wide Implementation: Over 50 OHTs approved across Ontario, working to reduce fragmentation and improve health outcomes.

• Impact on Healthcare Delivery:

  • Improved Coordination: Facilitates better communication among providers, enhancing continuity of care.

  • Patient Empowerment: Encourages patient involvement in care decisions, promoting better adherence and satisfaction.

How to Use This in Your Interview:

• Collaborative Practice: Discuss the importance of teamwork in healthcare and how OHTs enhance patient care.

• Adaptability: Reflect on experiences where you've worked collaboratively and how you can contribute to integrated care models.

Primary Care Reform

• Family Health Teams (FHTs):

  • Team-Based Approach: Combines physicians, nurse practitioners, social workers, and other professionals to provide comprehensive care.

  • Accessibility: Aims to improve access to primary care services across the province.

How to Use This in Your Interview:

• Patient-Centered Care: Emphasize your commitment to holistic care and addressing patients' diverse needs.

• Interprofessional Collaboration: Share experiences that demonstrate effective teamwork and communication skills.

3. Stay Informed on Current Health-Related Events

COVID-19 Pandemic Response

• Provincial Response:

  • Public Health Measures: Implementation of mask mandates, lockdowns, and vaccination campaigns to control the spread.

  • Vaccination Rollout: Efforts to prioritize high-risk populations and achieve widespread immunity.

• Challenges and Lessons Learned:

  • Healthcare System Strain: Addressing ICU capacity, PPE shortages, and healthcare worker burnout.

  • Equity Issues: Recognizing disparities in COVID-19 impact among marginalized communities.

How to Use This in Your Interview:

• Resilience and Leadership: Discuss how the pandemic has highlighted the importance of adaptability and leadership in healthcare.

• Public Health Insight: Reflect on lessons learned regarding preparedness, communication, and addressing health inequities.

Opioid Crisis in Ontario

• Provincial Impact:

  • Rising Overdose Deaths: Ontario has seen significant increases in opioid-related fatalities, exacerbated by the pandemic.

  • Fentanyl and Illicit Drugs: The presence of potent synthetic opioids has intensified the crisis.

• Government Initiatives:

  • Harm Reduction Strategies: Expansion of supervised consumption sites, naloxone distribution programs, and opioid agonist therapies.

  • Public Awareness Campaigns: Efforts to destigmatize addiction and promote treatment services.

How to Use This in Your Interview:

• Compassionate Care: Emphasize the importance of viewing addiction as a health issue and providing non-judgmental support.

• Advocacy: Discuss the role of physicians in advocating for effective policies and resources to address the crisis.

4. Engage with Relevant Social Issues

Systemic Racism and Health Equity

• National Concerns:

  • Disparities in Health Outcomes: Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) communities face higher rates of chronic diseases and reduced access to quality care.

  • Impact of COVID-19: The pandemic has disproportionately affected marginalized populations due to socio-economic factors.

• Calls to Action:

  • Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC): Emphasizes addressing health disparities affecting Indigenous peoples.

  • Anti-Racism Initiatives: Programs aimed at reducing systemic barriers within the healthcare system.

How to Use This in Your Interview:

• Cultural Competence: Share experiences that demonstrate your commitment to providing equitable and culturally sensitive care.

• Active Allyship: Reflect on how you plan to contribute to dismantling systemic racism in healthcare.

Mental Health Awareness

• National Trends:

  • Increasing Prevalence: Rising rates of mental health issues, particularly among youth and healthcare workers.

  • Access to Services: Challenges in meeting the demand for mental health services across Canada.

• Government Responses:

  • Investments in Mental Health: Federal and provincial funding to expand services and support innovation in care delivery.

  • Bell Let's Talk Campaign: A national initiative to reduce stigma and promote open conversations about mental health.

How to Use This in Your Interview:

• Holistic Approach: Emphasize the importance of integrating mental health into all aspects of patient care.

• Advocacy for Access: Discuss the need for improved access to mental health services and your role in promoting wellness.

5. Address National Health-Related Topics

Healthcare Accessibility and Wait Times

• National Challenge:

  • Wait Times for Procedures: Ongoing issues with timely access to surgeries and specialist consultations.

  • Rural and Remote Communities: Additional barriers due to geographic isolation and provider shortages.

• Strategies for Improvement:

  • Telemedicine Expansion: Utilizing technology to connect patients with care providers.

  • Resource Optimization: Implementing strategies to improve efficiency within the healthcare system.

How to Use This in Your Interview:

• Problem-Solving Skills: Discuss ideas for reducing wait times and improving accessibility.

• Commitment to Service: Reflect on your willingness to serve in underserved areas to address provider shortages.

National Pharmacare Program

• Policy Debate:

  • Support for Universal Pharmacare: Advocates argue it would improve medication adherence and health outcomes.

  • Concerns: Discussions around funding, implementation challenges, and impact on existing drug plans.

• Recent Developments:

  • Advisory Council Recommendations: Proposals for a phased implementation of a national pharmacare program.

How to Use This in Your Interview:

• Health Equity: Emphasize the importance of medication affordability in patient care.

• Policy Engagement: Reflect on the role of physicians in influencing healthcare policy for the benefit of patients.

6. Understand Canada's Healthcare Policy Debates

Privatization vs. Public Healthcare

• National Discussion:

  • Arguments for Privatization: Suggest it could reduce wait times and increase system efficiency.

  • Arguments Against: Concerns about undermining the universal healthcare model and increasing inequity.

• Legal Cases:

  • Cambie Surgeries Corporation Case: A high-profile legal battle in British Columbia challenging laws that restrict private healthcare.

How to Use This in Your Interview:

• Ethical Reasoning: Discuss the implications of privatization on equity and access to care.

• Commitment to Universal Care: Express support for maintaining and strengthening Canada's public healthcare system.

Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD)

• Legislative Changes:

  • Bill C-7 (2021): Expanded eligibility for MAiD, including individuals whose natural death is not reasonably foreseeable.

  • Ongoing Debates: Ethical considerations around extending MAiD to individuals with mental illness as the sole underlying condition.

How to Use This in Your Interview:

• Ethical Nuance: Demonstrate a thoughtful understanding of the complexities involved.

• Patient-Centered Care: Emphasize the importance of compassion, autonomy, and thorough assessment in end-of-life care.