What to Expect in Your MMI: Moral & Ethical Scenarios (Part 3)

Over the next week, we will offer examples of the kinds of MMI questions a school might ask. Memorizing a ton of sample questions isn’t the way to go. But familiarizing yourself with the various types of MMI questions and practicing responses will help you make cogent statements that express desirable qualities within a set time.

Other Probing Moral and Ethical Prompts.

Consider how you would respond to these additional Moral and Ethical prompts:

  • You’re a year-three medical student. A classmate tells you he plans on cheating on your next exam. What do you do?

  • Is it ever okay to lie to a patient? To a patient's family?

  • Your cousin was injured in a car accident. Her doctor declined to prescribe her prescription pain medication, telling her to take over-the-counter meds instead. She seems to be in a lot of pain—and she has never abused substances. Do you prescribe her a medication?

  • A patient has tested positive for an STI and indicates that he will not be telling his partner about it. His partner is also your patient. What do you do?

  • You catch a colleague sleeping on the job. Do you address this? How?

  • A patient covered in bruises confesses that they're being abused by their partner but insists that they have things under control now. What do you do?

  • A meteor is about to hit Earth. You can save five people. Who do you choose?

When Morality and Ethics Collide.

There are times when your personal beliefs may conflict with your ability to provide a legal medical procedure, such as abortion or physician-assisted death. So, what then? You can be a conscientious objector. But that doesn’t preclude you from providing your patient with information on a doctor who would not have the same objections that you do. Would you do that? Walk the interviewer through your thought process and proposed actions.

Conversely, you might find that a patient's or patient’s family’s strong beliefs conflict with your goals as a doctor. “Our applicants struggled with one scenario we presented in the past in which a patient in a coma requires a blood transfusion,” shares one admissions team member. “The patient is a Jehovah’s Witness, and some members—including this patient’s outspoken family—believe their religion forbids blood transfusions. So, what do you do as the patient’s physician? I would struggle with that scenario too.” Your response to this is personal. We just want to set you up for the possibility of such a question and encourage you to break down your reasoning when responding, even if you cannot come to a conclusion that you feel is 100% the right move.