How do I answer ethical dilemma questions in interviews? For example, 'Does Euthanasia have a place in modern medicine?'

Firstly, it is important to remember that there is no right or wrong answer in response to these ethics questions and what the examiner is looking for is to see that you can give a balanced view of the issue, showing awareness that it is a complicated topic with no straightforward answer. To be able to give this balanced view, I think it would be beneficial to be reading the newspapers, online health articles and also listening to 'Medical Ethics' podcasts so that you can build up your background knowledge of ethical issues. I think having an awareness of the 'Four Pillars of Medical Ethics'; Justice, Autonomy, Beneficence and Non-maleficence, would help you be able to add structure to your answer and also help you stand out from the other interviewees. For example, you could argue Euthanasia should be legal as it gives autonomy (choice) to patients and by having it illegal you are denying patient's choice over their own healthcare. In contrast, you could argue it should not be legal for doctor's to administer lethal injections as it goes against the pillar of non-maleficence (to do no harm.)

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Answered by Sophie B. Medical School Preparation tutor

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