Describe a situation where you had to adapt your treatment approach to meet a patient's changing needs


 Theme: Flexibility  Role: Occupational Therapist  Function: Medical

  Interview Question for Occupational Therapist:  See sample answers, motivations & red flags for this common interview question. About Occupational Therapist: Assist patients in regaining daily living skills This role falls within the Medical function of a firm. See other interview questions & further information for this role here

 Sample Answer 


  Example response for question delving into Flexibility with the key points that need to be covered in an effective response. Customize this to your own experience with concrete examples and evidence

  •  Patient's changing needs: I encountered a situation where a patient's condition deteriorated, requiring me to adapt my treatment approach
  •  Assessment & evaluation: I conducted a thorough assessment and evaluation of the patient's current condition and needs
  •  Collaboration with the healthcare team: I communicated with the patient's healthcare team to gather information and discuss the necessary adaptations
  •  Treatment modification: Based on the assessment and collaboration, I modified the treatment plan to address the patient's changing needs
  •  Goal setting: I revised the goals of the treatment plan to align with the patient's new condition and capabilities
  •  Adaptive equipment & techniques: I introduced and utilized adaptive equipment and techniques to assist the patient in achieving their goals
  •  Regular reassessment: I regularly reassessed the patient's progress and adjusted the treatment approach accordingly
  •  Patient education & involvement: I educated the patient and involved them in the decision-making process to ensure their active participation in their own treatment
  •  Documentation & communication: I maintained detailed documentation of the treatment modifications and communicated them effectively to the healthcare team
  •  Outcome evaluation: I evaluated the outcomes of the adapted treatment approach and made further adjustments as needed

 Underlying Motivations 


  What the Interviewer is trying to find out about you and your experiences through this question

  •  Flexibility: Ability to adapt treatment approach
  •  Problem-solving skills: Capacity to adjust to changing patient needs
  •  Patient-centered care: Commitment to providing individualized treatment

 Potential Minefields 


  How to avoid some common minefields when answering this question in order to not raise any red flags

  •  Lack of flexibility: Avoid mentioning that you have never had to adapt your treatment approach before or that you are resistant to change
  •  Poor problem-solving skills: Avoid providing an example where you were unable to adapt or lacked creativity in finding alternative solutions
  •  Lack of patient-centered care: Avoid describing situations where you ignored or dismissed the patient's changing needs
  •  Ineffective communication: Avoid mentioning instances where you failed to effectively communicate with the patient or their caregivers during the adaptation process