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General Practitioner Interview Questions

Edited by Indeed Employer Content Team
Last updated 26 January 2025
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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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Whether you are preparing to interview a candidate or applying for a job, review our list of top General Practitioner interview questions and answers.

  1. Tell us about a time you changed your past practice which helped to improve patient care. See answer
  2. What would you do if there was an emergency while you were still treating another patient? See answer
  3. What are your biggest medical achievements to date? See answer
  4. How do you decide on the medications to prescribe to patients? See answer
  5. If hired, what will you add to our hospital? See answer
  6. Why do you want to join this hospital? See answer
  7. What are your steps for completing your clinical and administrative duties on time? See answer
  8. How do you present news that is complicated to patients or their relatives? See answer
  9. Some patients have a phobia of needles. How can you calm them before an injection? See answer
  10. Why did you choose to become a Doctor? 
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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines

10 General Practitioner Interview Questions and Answers

Why did you choose to become a Doctor? 

Medicine is a respected profession, and it is great to begin by querying a candidate's inspiration for joining the field. A satisfactory answer could include their respect for human life and how to preserve it.  Look for the following in a candidate's response: 

  • Deep passion to help other people 
  • Genuine work ethic and readiness to collaborate with other medical specialists 
  • What the candidate thinks of the job in general 
'I became a Doctor because I have a genuine concern for human beings and wanted to join a team of professionals who offer the highest standard of medical care possible. I also thrive when working under pressure and felt the need to get into a job that has strict time constraints, as it will boost my professional development.'
Example:

Tell us about a time you changed your past practice which helped to improve patient care.

You should ask this question to assess whether the candidate can initiate changes that lead to better patient care and overall outcomes.  Check for the following in a candidate's response: 

  • An honest account of a related experience they had in the past
  • Summary of the problem
  • The solution they implemented and its outcome
'I recently worked in an understaffed medical facility that required more qualified RNs for assisting with surgeries. I discussed the issue with the nurse manager, and she agreed to start interviewing new recruits after four weeks. We hired more experienced RNs and this resulted in improved efficiency at the hospital, with more surgeries being completed with zero errors and patients' safety being enhanced.'
Example:

What would you do if there was an emergency while you were still treating another patient?

The aim of this question is to know whether the candidate can manage their time effectively without denying any of their patients the essential care they need.  Check for the following in their response: 

  • A short description of a recent incident where they faced a related situation
  • How they addressed the emergency with the swiftness that the situation required
  • How they ensured the patient they left got the care they needed
'Recently, as I was performing a post-operative check-up on a patient, I was alerted of another patient brought in with a suspected heart attack. I explained the situation to my current patient and told them that an assistant practitioner would come to see them and help them finish their appointment, as I had to attend to the emergency.'
Example:

What are your biggest medical achievements to date?

Interviewers ask this question to know whether the candidate has had any impressive accomplishments over the course of their career as a general practitioner. They should list any scholarships they have won in the past and awards, if there are any.  Check for the following in the candidate's answer: 

  • A list of conferences and seminars that they have been part of in the past 
  • How the programmes have benefitted the candidate's medical practice
  • Any notable awards or honours they have received
'Currently, I am pursuing a General Practice PhD funded by the Wellcome Trust after successfully attaining 350 credits of continuing professional development over the last three years. During that period, I attended 10 seminars. The last paper I presented saw me get an award from the National Health Service.'
Example:

How do you decide on the medications to prescribe to patients?

You should ask this question to assess if a candidate knows a wide range of medications that they can prescribe to patients. The question also queries their awareness of new trends in the market, including new treatments for typical conditions.  When answering, the candidate should: 

  • Display their knowledge of pharmaceutical best practices
  • The philosophy they use to prescribe a new medication
  • How they keep up with trends in the industry 
'Before I prescribe any medication, I'll consider a patient's medical history to see whether they may have any conditions or take any other medications that could affect the functionality of the prescription. I also consider the current diagnosis to know the most effective medications to prescribe.'
Example:

If hired, what will you add to our hospital?

This question allows you to assess the value that the candidate will add to your practice or hospital. They should remain honest and talk about their skills and how they will help the healthcare facility offer better patient care. The candidate should also: 

  • Talk about what makes them stand out 
  • Relate their unique skills or qualifications to the job you are offering
  • Explain how their skills are useful to your particular practice
'I have a solid work ethic that enables me to do my level best in every situation, including when handling patients or accomplishing other duties for my employer. I'm also ready to use my knowledge and skills to improve the quality of the workforce in the hospital by mentoring those below me.'
Example:

Why do you want to join this hospital?

This question seeks to find out why the candidate would rather work in your healthcare facility. It allows you to know if the candidate has sufficiently researched your facility.  They should answer this question by: 

  • Talking about what they love about your facility
  • How their career goals and values align with your facility's culture
  • Any other specific details about your facility
'This hospital currently offers excellent support for healthcare workers undertaking further education, which is something I'm keen on. It has also been ranked among the top five hospitals offering the best patient care within London, and I would love to be part of a medical team that provides such excellent healthcare.'
Example:

What are your steps for completing your clinical and administrative duties on time?

Most interviewers ask this question to find out if a candidate has good organisation and time management skills. You should look for people who understand how to set appointments, schedule visits and attend to all their patients in a hospital.  When answering, the candidate should discuss: 

  • How they set appointments with patients
  • Their daily schedules
  • How they keep patient records close
'I prefer to visit my patients and check on their progress as soon as my shift begins, before I attend to any new patients. This helps me understand their needs and avoid missing a patient's progress.'
Example:

How do you present news that is complicated to patients or their relatives?

This question can help you assess whether the candidate knows how to make patients or their loved ones understand complex medical information. The question mainly tests their possession of certain key skills like empathy and communication. As they answer the question, the candidate should:

  • Explain how they communicate with patients
  • Discuss how they can prescribe treatment options to patients
  • Explain how the patient turned out after talking with them
'I prefer to break tough news a patient in the presence of a relative or friend so they can support them and help them process any information I give. I recently had a patient who had a herniated disc and needed a spinal fusion. I performed an initial CT scan and met with the patient and their partner to give them my diagnosis and recommendation. They agreed to have the surgery and it was a success.'
Example:

Some patients have a phobia of needles. How can you calm them before an injection?

Most interviewers may want to find out if the candidates have excellent interpersonal skills. This question can help you find out whether they have patience with others.  When answering, the candidate should: 

  • Show that they genuinely care about the patient
  • Show that they understand their fear
  • Offer a solution for the patient
Answer: 'Before I pull any needles from the shelf, I'd help the patient relax by telling them that I'll do everything to ensure that the experience is more comfortable. I might also help them perform breathing exercises in case I see them having a panic attack.'
Example:
Three individuals are sitting at a table with a laptop, a disposable coffee cup, notebooks, and a phone visible. Two are facing each other, while the third’s back is to the camera. The setting appears to be a bright room with large windows.

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