Navigating the Medical School Interview Process: A Comprehensive Guide to External Resources

Dec 14, 2023
Author:MDconsultants

Categories: Med School Interview

The MDconsultants network currently comprises more than 170 medical students, residents, and attending physicians who practice in various specialties across Canada and the United States. Our company is led by 3 physician partners who graduated from the University of Toronto and is supported professionally by a full-time managerial staff. MDconsultants started out in 2009 to provide high quality consulting services to enable aspiring healthcare professionals gain admission into programs of their choice. Since then, we’ve evolved into a predominantly physician network of talented consultants who solve diverse and challenging problems. Our current range of capabilities include admission consulting, healthcare consulting, providing professional second opinions, and delivering healthcare in a variety of settings.

A career in healthcare demands not only a robust clinical and academic focus but also having a nuanced understanding of the changing healthcare, social, and ethical landscapes. Whether you are looking to deepen your understanding of health systems and challenges, preparing for medical school interviews, or form more nuanced opinions on controversial topics, finding the right external resources is often the most vital first step to set you up for success. In this blog post, you will find a curated list of resources that provide you with a more nuanced, balanced, and informed perspective on Canadian health and social issues.

Books.

Matters of Life and Death by Andre Picard: For a concise yet comprehensive exploration of critical healthcare topics, Matters of Life and Death by Andre Picard is a great choice. This editorial-style book covers a wide range of issues, including the right-to-die, the SARS virus, health disparities among Indigenous communities, cannabis legalization, mental illness, and transgender healthcare. The author’s use of statistics adds weight to your knowledge arsenal, as mentioning statistics during your medical school interview can further showcase your passion for the topic to interviewers.

Better Now by Danielle Martin: Delve into the intricacies of the Canadian healthcare system with Danielle Martin’s Better Now where you will find “Six Big Ideas” to improve our system. From ensuring access to a family doctor to implementing an income guarantee, you will be exposed to a systemic perspective that elevates understanding beyond individual concerns. Equip yourself with the ability to bring a broader system-based perspective to all questions, offering a comprehensive view of healthcare challenges and potential solutions that will allow you to stand above other students answering the same question.

Podcasts

Health Podcasts: Podcasts, such as White Coat Black Art by Brian Goldman, offer Canadian insights into various healthcare issues. These bite-sized episodes delve into diverse topics like pediatric surgical delays and the effects of climate emergencies on rural hospitals. Listening to this podcast will allow you to stay informed and integrate these insights into interviews to showcase your awareness and depth of understanding.

General News Podcasts: Stay informed of national and global issues with podcasts like “The Daily” by NYT, “World Report” by CBC, “This Matters” by the Toronto Star, “5 Things” by CNN, and “Today in Focus” by The Guardian. Use these podcasts as a foundation to develop knowledge and more importantly, cultivate your own thoughtful perspectives on controversial topics—a key element in interviews.

Online Communities

Discussion Groups: Engage with online communities on platforms like Reddit and Discord to participate in discussions on recent medical issues. “Healthy Debate” provides a platform where healthcare insiders share op-eds, allowing for detailed coverage and informed discussions on the inner workings and dysfunctions of the Canadian healthcare system.

Med Twitter: Follow prominent Canadian & international healthcare professionals, organizations, and hashtags to stay updated on real-time discussions and new research within medicine. You can even take this a step further by actively engage in conversations and leveraging this dynamic platform to broaden your network.

Reddit’s ChangeMyView: Explore diverse opinions on controversial topics through this Reddit community. This exposure will help you develop balanced views that are important for addressing ethical questions in interviews as you gain a deeper understanding of perspectives that differ from your own.

In-Person Communities

Take the initiative to build discussion groups with friends, family, or peer where you collaboratively explore hot medical topics, exchange insights, and think through the pros and cons. This approach not only enhances your understanding but also prepares you for in-depth discussions during interviews.

There materials are just some of the main great ones you can use! Embrace the information available and grow as a knowledgeable and ethically conscious further healthcare professional. Happy learning!