Residency interview answer guide
What problems will our specialty face in the next 5-10 years? Interview guide
The AAMC lists this among commonly asked questions. It tests how much you have read and thought about the field. Programs do not expect a forecast. They want to see that you follow the specialty beyond your own rotations.
How to approach it
- 1
Choose one or two issues you can discuss
Pick topics you have actually read about, such as workforce, access to care, new technology or changes in training. Depth beats a long list.
- 2
Name where you learned it
Mention the source, such as a specialty society report, a journal article or a mentor. This shows the answer is not guessed.
- 3
Offer a measured view
Say how the issue might affect patients or training and what you would want to learn. Avoid sweeping predictions.
A fill-in outline, not a script
One issue I have been following is [issue]. I learned about it from [source]. It matters because [effect on patients or the work]. I do not know how it will play out, but I would like to [learn or contribute] during training.
This is an illustrative outline. Replace every bracket with something true from your own experience. The AAMC advises applicants to prepare rather than rehearse, so you can answer the question you are actually asked.
What advisers and program directors say
Dr. Eck told the AMA to review your preparation notes and the program's goals, aims, vision and mission before interview day, which makes the session more comfortable.
On case-based questions, Dr. Eck said there is no one right answer and that interviewers want to hear you reflect and define your decision-making. An open question about the future rewards the same kind of thinking.
Mistakes to avoid
- Repeating a headline with no depth.
- Making confident predictions you cannot support.
- Criticising the specialty or its leaders.
- Choosing an issue unrelated to this specialty.
Check your answer
- Can you name where you read about it?
- Is the issue specific to this specialty?
- Does the answer stay measured?
Follow-up questions to expect
- How would you want to be involved?
- What is your source for that?
- What would you do about it as a resident?
Common questions
How do I prepare for this?
Read your specialty society's news and recent articles. Discuss the field with mentors in it.
Is it fine to say I am not sure?
Yes, if you show what you have read and how you are thinking.
Should I mention politics or policy?
Only in a measured way and if it is relevant. Keep it focused on patients and training.
Related guides
Sources
- AAMC, Questions Frequently Asked of Applicants During Interviews
- AMA, A program director's do's and don'ts for residency interviews (Dec 2024)
- AMA, Ace your residency interview by mastering 7 questions (Oct 2025)
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.