Interview preparation guide
Keeping interview examples confidential: residency interview preparation guide
A useful clinical story does not need information that identifies a patient or a colleague. Removing a name alone may leave a recognizable combination of details.
How to prepare
- 1
Choose the learning before the identifying detail
Decide what the example demonstrates about your action or judgment. Keep only the context needed to understand that point. AAMC cautions against patient information that could identify someone alone or in combination, including locations, diagnoses or distinguishing characteristics.
- 2
Protect colleagues as well as patients
When an example describes a colleague negatively, remove identifying titles, locations and other distinguishing detail. Use roles only as broadly as necessary. Do not turn the answer into a grievance or invite the interviewer to identify who was involved.
- 3
Practise a safe version without changing the facts
Check the story for recognizable combinations, not just names. Simplify irrelevant detail while keeping your actions and the outcome accurate. Do not invent a new clinical history or claim that any anonymization method guarantees privacy. If a safe telling is not possible, choose a different example or ask your advisor for guidance.
A practical exercise
Purpose of example: [learning]. Necessary context: [minimal non-identifying information]. My actions: [true account]. Outcome: [accurate and safe to share]. Details removed: [identifiers and irrelevant distinguishing features].
This is an editorial exercise to adapt to your own interview, not a script or a program requirement.
What the source guidance supports
AAMC's interview-completion guidance explicitly cautions against identifying patient and colleague details, including combinations of distinguishing information.
The exercises and checklists are editorial applications of the cited guidance, not required program procedures or predictions of interview scoring. Follow your actual invitation and program instructions.
Mistakes to avoid
- Removing only the name.
- Identifying a colleague through title and location.
- Inventing facts to disguise the story.
Check your preparation
- Could details identify someone together?
- Is the learning understandable without them?
- Would another example be safer?
Questions for your practice review
- What was your contribution?
- What did you learn?
- Can you explain the decision without private details?
Common questions
Can I say the patient's diagnosis?
Do not share details that identify a patient alone or in combination. Use the minimum context and seek guidance if unsure.
Are colleague stories different?
AAMC also warns against identifying a colleague portrayed negatively.
Does this guide certify an example as anonymous?
No. It is preparation guidance, not a privacy assessment or legal advice.
Related guides
Sources
This page is general editorial guidance based on the sources above. It is not a prediction of any program's questions or a statement of its current policies.