Casper Practice

Imagine that you witness your attending doing something that in your opinion does not fit the standard of care. How would you react?

Ask them about it in a non confrontational way, and likely there was some reason I was not aware of that they did something differently. If there is not something I was not aware of and they really did something outside the standard of care, I would approach my superior about this and just let them know what happened. This would allow them to do more investigation and take appropriate action such as having the attending do extra training in that area?

From time to time, we are all faced with conflict in some form. With experience, we learn to deal with different forms of conflict. Question 1: Describe a time when you had to deal with conflict and how you coped with it? Question 2: How might you handle a similar situation differently should it arise again? Question 3: What would be your strategy if you were faced with a conflict that cannot be resolved?

BE PREPARED TO SHARE PERSONAL STORIES... Before the CASPer, re-read your primary and secondary essays. Take a mental note of the different "genres" of questions you might be asked: A time you failed A time you had a serious disagreement A time you worked with others unlike yourself A time you navigated a personal crisis (yours or someone else's) A time you received unfair treatment or criticism You might not have a pre-written answer for all of these, or you might have one example that works for all of them. Either way, it's good to take inventory of your word bank of answers, so that you can quickly recall and utilize those stories when needed. You can't copy/paste, so make sure to learn them well enough to paraphrase. FOCUS MOSTLY ON THE LESSONS INVOLVED... Since you have limited time, try to move through your presentation of the problem as quickly as possible. If you want to include a few extenuating circumstances, that's fine, but don't editorialize things too much. Just state what happened and own up to any mistakes you made along the way. The schools care more about how you processed the event and learned from it moving forward. The prompt uses hypothetical language (What would be your strategy if...), but that doesn't mean you can't answer it with real events and evidence. If you've already applied the lessons from your conflict/failure to other facets of your life, then sharing those examples is probably your most compelling answer. AVOID RED FLAGS... Medical schools want candidates who seem stable, level-headed, and objective enough to own up to their shortcomings. Oppositely, they do not want students who seem volatile, resentful, or clouded by bias. Please please please do not choose stories about dealing with anxiety, or stories about your inability to handle stress. Also avoid anything that's too fresh, like a recent fight with a roommate or a recent unfair policy at work. You need distance from the event to write about it properly. Don't choose something if you're still harboring any negativity about the situation, since that's likely to come out in your essays. When possible, avoid focusing on internal conflicts (doubt, depression, fear, etc.) and instead utilize stories that primarily hinge on external conflicts (deadlines, unexpected obstacles, etc.). You want to show yourself navigating your environment and circumstances, rather than navigating your own inner battles.

You work at a retail store. A customer wants to return an item for an $80.00 cash refund without a receipt, which is against the store policy. She pleads her case, explaining that she needs the money for her child's prescription. Your manager is unavailable, so as the most experienced employee, you must advise a younger salesperson and make the final decision. Question 1: What do you tell the other employee - go ahead and give the refund or abide by store policy? Justify your answer. Question 2: Assume you advise the newer employee not to give the refund, but she does anyway. Do you report this to your supervisor? Why or why not? Question 3: If you were asked to establish a policy for a new store around refunds, what aspects would you take into consideration?

DON'T BE THE EXCEPTION TO THE RULE... As tempting as it is to make an exception for this poor mother who needs quick cash, it's not your place in this situation to override store policy. You have already offered the customer store credit and explained that she cannot get a refund without a receipt. Your hands are tied. The customer's story about her child might be compelling, but that doesn't make it true, and it's not a sufficient enough reason to break an established rule. Also, it could potentially be unwise to bend the rules in front of the younger employee, since it might set a bad example or precedent. There's always the small chance that the younger employee will report YOU to your boss. Moral of the story: there's not enough information here for you to safely break the rules. You could maybe use some if/then conditional statements to help justify why you'd give the refund, or help explain what you'd do to follow through and find a possible compromise. But remember that there can be a slippery slope when it comes to making exceptions, so you'll need to cover your bases well. SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO BE A TATTLE-TALE... If the younger employee chooses to give the refund against your advice, you immediately become obligated to take action. In some other settings, like a group project or a student organization, it would be best to confront the student/colleague first before reporting him or her to your supervisor. However, in this scenario, you're clearly in a place of employment, and you've likely signed a contract to abide by certain company policies. By not reporting the broken rule, you become an accomplice, and if the transgression is discovered, you might be viewed as equally culpable. For the sake of civility, you should definitely tell the younger employee about your plans to inform your boss about the break in policy. That way she won't be surprised or feel deceived. It will also give her the chance to reach out to your boss on her own. BE FORWARD THINKING... If you felt frustrated or limited by the first two questions, you can take some solace in the third one, which lets you to create new policy surrounding refunds. Rather than dwell too much on the unfortunate incident with the present customer, focus more on how this situation could be avoided moving forward. One possible option would be to establish a better tracking system, so that a particular product could be confirmed as bought in a specific store's location at a certain date and time. At the very least, that information would help you corroborate a customer's story about when and where the item was purchased. It would also be wise to seek your supervisor's counsel and inquire about what circumstances would justify overriding the refund policy. If there are any stipulations or exceptions to the rule, you should take careful notes and share this information with other employees. That way, if you need to make a judgment call in the future, the staff will be better prepared. If customers are allowed to pay in cash, it will be much harder to establish a consistent and fair policy. It might be smart to limit cash purchases to items under $20 dollars, since that's the largest refund the employees are allowed to give in the current scenario. For larger purchases, you could limit customers to traceable payment methods.

Physician assisted suicide: the facts

Doctor provides the medications but the patient must administer it themselves, they chooses if and when to administer it. Euthanasia is a third party administering it and is illegal. Different from withdrawing/refusing life saving treatment. Competent people should be able to determine the timing and manner in which they die.

Your patient is diagnosed with Syphilis but does not want to tell his wife. What would you do?

First, I would talk to the patient and make sure he understands the risks of untreated syphilis in his wife. I would let him know that although it may be an uncomfortable conversation, he is putting her at risk if eh does not let her know to get tested and possibly treated. If he still will not tell his wife, I will refer to my state laws. In many states, the obligation to make sure the wife is not harmed outweighs the confidentiality. If the laws do confirm this, I would first tell the patient that I am obligated to tell his wife. I would then tell her if he still will not

When you handled a difficult situation

Five-year-old Timmy came from a large immigrant family with strict parents who were always forcing him to do more work, never content with their child. Due to this constant pressure, Timmy always came to the centre in a bad mood. Even during difficult classes, which ended in tantrums, crying fits, or refusal to do work, it was my responsibility to ensure that Timmy had a meaningful session. I strove to listen to Timmy, making sure he knew that he was smart, hard-working, and could do anything he put his mind on. Timmy has stayed and continued with his learning in the centre. It is surreal to see Timmy now in the main classroom working independently on his math and reading.

Recall a group situation when the group did not do what you wanted.

Genetics group not splitting up work like I wanted them to and taking a lot longer than I wanted. Decided that everyone does the research and then come back together and discuss.

Describe one time when your boss had to confront you about an issue with your work.

Had new student at Kumon, very young about 3 years old. Usually work with older students and use a I say you say method. My boss told me I was doing it incorrectly with the student, only had to have him repeat after me. I did not know about this before.

Q1: Recall a situation where someone else's work or excellence benefited you, either undeservedly or disproportionately.

I had to do a powerpoint presentation at the end of my summer studentship. However, it took me many months to figure out the protocol therefore I did not have very strong results. My post-doctoral fellow was kind enough to let me borrow some images from her work for the background information and expected results.

Why do you want to pursue a job in the medical field?

I like patients, I love medicine, I also think I would be very good at it. Wish to restore confidence and normalcy in patients' lives, whether its a runny nose or digestion problems.

Have you ever been at odds with a coworker? How did you handle this?

I manage ordering for my lab at UT southwestern, one of the post-docs I work with comes to me asking questions constantly about orders. During meetings he used to put blame on me for orders not coming through on time.

Discuss the importance of truth telling and honesty in medicine.

I think truth telling is extremely important in medicine. This can be in many different contexts. If a patient is doing well, I believe that they should know that. Also, being honest with patients about their habits and how they can affect their health (smoking, poor diet) Telling the truth, even when it is hard, is important in medicine. If you make a mistake, you need to tell the patient that and apologize. I believe being fairly transparent with patients is a positive thing.

Describe a time when you came into conflict with an authority figure and how you dealt with it?

I was told to learn mouse surgery in order to improve our work in the lab. I practiced for a month and made no progress on it. I talked to my PI and asked to change my assignment, because I felt I haven't improved over so much time.

A time you received unfair treatment or criticism

I work as a tutor and there was a time when my supervisor was reprimanding a younger student for forgetting her work, I realized that the student had brought her work but my supervisor had misplaced it. I approached my supervisor and told her that the student had brought her work and had given it to my supervisor. This was exactly criticism but I am standing up for the student.

A time when you worked with others unlike yourself

I work in a lab with much older people. Immunology group - different writing style, format, etc

Describe a past situation in which your ethics were challenged.

"Several years ago in my first role as a retail associate, I witnessed a coworker taking cash from one of the registers. At first, it looked just like changing over the drawer, but I decided to confront the staff member anyway. The employee was actually taking money from the register, and I took the cash they had from the drawer, placed it back in the register and notified my supervisor. We were able to resolve the issue through balancing the cash drawer and ensuring that particular employee was unable to commit theft from the company again."

Describe a disappointment from your life.

- falling below the 50 percentile in the MCAT.

A time you failed

-First year biology lab group presentation. Group members were not contributing to conversations/brushing off my questions. We were not getting along. I was not completely understanding my role in the research, but I did not ask them. The supervisor only told me to speak with my group. I did it wrong.

You're the manager at a retail store. A man tries to return a toy for a refund but doesn't have the original receipt. Due to store policy, the cashier states she can only offer him store credit. The man says his daughter came down with pneumonia, and he needs the cash to fill her prescriptions. He asks the cashier to make a policy exception for him. She turns to you. What do you think she should do? 1. As the store manager, would you give this customer a refund? Why or why not? 2. If you decide to abide by store policy, how could you refuse the refund in a way that shows empathy for the customer? 3. In your opinion, what is the most essential quality to possess in a customer service position? Explain your response.

1. As the store manager, would you give this customer a refund? Why or why not? I would first take the customer aside to have a private conversation and seek more information about his situation. I would empathize with his worry over his daughter's health and want to help him if possible. I would consider two options—does the store contribute to charity or give back to the community? If so, I could issue a refund from the store's charitable fund. If not, I would consider altering the store refund policy. I would add a clause saying refunds could be issued without a receipt based on the manager's discretion. I would also set a limit to the refund amounts to prevent the company from suffering financial harm. 2. If you decide to abide by store policy, how could you refuse the refund in a way that shows empathy for the customer? I would actively listen to his situation and validate his feelings of concern for his daughter. In a compassionate manner, I would apologize and explain I was unable to make an exception. I would try to offer alternative solutions to his problem—for example, recommend he inquire about a prescription payment plan or more affordable generic medication. 3. In your opinion, what is the most essential quality to possess in a customer service position? Explain your response. I believe empathetic listening and respectful communication are essential to customer service. While a customer's request may need to be denied, the customer-provider relationship can be preserved if the customer feels they have been listened to and respected. This Maya Angelou quote summarizes effective customer service, "People will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

Quick Fill in the blanks 1. General, Communication, Ethical, Conflict resolution 2. Yes/No, MMI type question a) pros/cons b) 2 opposing perspectives 3. Personal questions (general formula) a) Difficulty you've overcome b) Are you a leader/follower? c) How do you handle conflict? d) Describe a time you had a conflict with an authority figure. How did you resolve this issue? e) Describe an obstacle you have had to overcome. f) Describe a situation you have had with a difficult patient. g) Tell me about a time that you made a mistake at work? h) Describe a time you failed. i) Describe a time you received unfair treatment or criticism j) Recall a group situation when the group did not do what you wanted. k) Describe the major differences between schoolyard bullying and cyberbullying.

1. General, Communication, Ethical, Conflict resolution The primary problem is . The secondary problem is . I completely understand that there are different sides to this situation, so I need to find the correct way to address the situation. I will gather facts in a private manner and at an appropriate time. As my relation to this person, I care about their wellbeing and will help find solutions to resolve some of their issues. I would decide to . Maybe there is something we do not know about that is contributing to the problem? Allowing us to gather all the facts will help us fully understand how to best support the situation in a respectful and efficient manner. 2. Yes/No, MMI type question a) pros/cons This is a difficult situation, which has both pros and cons. The pros include , which can ultimately benefit . The cons include , which can ultimately harm . I suggest because this will have a more benefit, minimizing harm by . b) two sides This is a difficult situation, which has two opposing perspectives. On one hand, some people argue , which can benefit . However, this approach can be harmful because . On the other hand, others argue , which can benefit . However, this approach can be harmful because . I suggest because this will be more beneficial, while mitigating some harm. 3. Personal questions - general formula Repeat sentence and a summary of example to follow. What u did. Why did u do this. What was its importance. How does this impact your future. a) What is a difficulty you have overcome? A difficulty I've overcome was talking to my grandmother on her deathbed and comforting my entire family, especially my mom because she was closest to her. I spent every day for a week with my mom, allowing her to vent and cry. She lives alone and I wanted to make sure she had someone to talk to and was taking care of herself, both physically and mentally. Providing a support system during difficult times was important to everyone's wellbeing. I will continue to be emotionally available for others and support others through difficult times by promoting love, empathy, and strength. b) Are you a leader or a follower? People have told me that they enjoy having me as a leader because "I consider everyone's opinions." For instance, as president of Spanish in Healthcare, an organization I founded on campus, I held meetings with my team around a community table where I encouraged others to express ideas and concerns to improve our mission. Then we all discussed each suggestion together. By promoting team effort, listening, and gathering different perspectives we were able to make the most impactful decisions within our community. As a leader, I always strive to encourage others to voice their opinions and contribute to advancing our mission. c) How do you handle conflict? I handle conflict by hearing all sides of the story and making a collective decision with all the individuals involved. I will first have private conversations to rule out other possible issues needed to be addressed. After clarifications, I will set up a meeting with everyone where all issues can be discussed respectfully. As a mediator, I will help choose the fairest solution for all parties to alleviate any tensions and maintain a safe and welcoming team environment. d) Describe a time you had a conflict with an authority figure. How did you resolve this issue? A time I had a conflict with an authority figure was when my high school counselor told me that I was not smart enough to take AP classes. I respectfully declined his went against his advice and not only took those classes, but also involved myself in leadership positions. By challenging myself, I received a near 4.0 GPA while being promoted to higher leadership positions. I learned that no one can dictate your future and to always strive for what you deserve. e) Describe an obstacle you have had to overcome. An obstacle that I had to overcome was my anxiety and depression residual from my childhood by seeking therapy, actively self-reflecting, and having my family as a support system. Growing up I lived with my mother who dated an abusive man who made derogatory and offensive remarks and gestures towards us. Being around him constantly negatively impacted my mental and emotional health. In college, I sought therapy to gain a healthier and positive mindset by addressing these issues. This helped me focus on the important things in life, such as my studies and hobbies. I learned to prioritize my mental health while my experience taught me to empathize and be kind to others. f) Describe a situation you have had with a difficult patient. g) Tell me about a time that you made a mistake at work? h) Describe a time you failed. i) Describe a time you received unfair treatment or criticism j) Recall a group situation when the group did not do what you wanted. k) Describe the major differences between schoolyard bullying and cyberbullying.

You're introduced to a new co-worker, Ben, and are surprised to find that he is the same person who sexually harassed a close friend of yours at his previous job. While Ben was fired from his last job and punished in other ways, the situation was not made public. You only happen to know the details because your friend shared them with you. How would you handle this? 1. How would you interact with Ben? 2. Would you inform your boss and/or other co-workers about Ben's past behavior? 3. Should people who commit serious offenses be given second chances? In this scenario, you'll need to demonstrate professional behavior, even in interacting with someone whom you may have a reason to dislike. You'll also need to think through the ethics and consequences of giving Ben a fresh start vs. warning others about his past behavior. However you address this, you'll want to show that you can balance fairness and compassion with harm prevention.

1. How would you interact with Ben? I would be polite to Ben. Even though I would certainly feel negatively towards him due to my prior knowledge, I wouldn't let that get in the way of behaving professionally. As a doctor, it's essential to be able to work with and potentially treat any person, no matter who they are or how you may feel about them. 2. Would you inform your boss and/or other co-workers about Ben's past behavior? It would depend on the severity of his past behavior, as well as the wishes of my friend. Assuming that I did not have reason to believe that Ben's presence put anyone in our workplace in imminent danger, to begin with, I most likely would not tell my co-workers about Ben's past in order to give Ben the benefit of the doubt and the possibility of a clean slate. It's possible that the harassment came up during his reference check. It's also possible that, given the punishment he received, he's learned from his mistake. However, if my friend gave her consent, I would quietly speak with my boss and/or HR to make sure that they are aware of the situation and can monitor his behavior accordingly. Similarly, if I heard that he was making anyone uncomfortable or if I noticed anything off, I wouldn't hesitate to share the essential details of the story. 3. Should people who commit serious offenses be given second chances? Yes, I do believe that people deserve second chances. In my opinion, all people are capable of change and improvement. I believe that it is a physician's ethical duty to approach people in an open-minded manner.

You are sharing a hotel room with a co-worker, Lisa, during a business trip. She's left her suitcase open and you notice a vial of marijuana in it. You ask Lisa about it and she tells you that she is epileptic and that it's medical marijuana. Medical cannabis is legal in your state; however, your workplace has a strict no-drugs policy. What would you do? 1. Part of your company's drug policy includes reporting other employees who disobey the policy. Would you report Lisa? 2. Say Lisa tells you that she only uses marijuana during off-work hours. Would that change your course of action? 3. Which is more important: Lisa's medical needs or your company's drug policy? The primary consideration in this scenario is a person's well-being vs. workplace policy. In thinking through your answers, you'll want to exhibit empathy towards Lisa, plus prioritize her health, while also demonstrating that you take professionalism and rules seriously. Another aspect to consider is the current political and legal debates surrounding cannabis use and how these debates may or may not be relevant to your positions.

1. Part of your company's drug policy includes reporting other employees who disobey the policy. Would you report Lisa? As Lisa's co-worker rather than her supervisor or doctor, I would take her at her word that marijuana is beneficial for her epilepsy and that her usage is legal. However, I would want to know more about how her usage interacts with our company's drug policy. For example, I'd ask her if our supervisors are aware that she uses marijuana medicinally and whether she uses it during work hours. I would also read the language of the drug policy to gain a clearer understanding of its strictures and intent—for instance, it would be useful to know if marijuana is specifically named or if the policy simply bans illegal substances. Given how quickly cannabis laws are changing these days, it seems plausible that the policy was written at a time when it was still illegal. Because medical cannabis is legal in our state, not to mention increasingly socially accepted, if I did determine that her usage clearly violated the drug policy, I would first encourage her to speak with our supervisor or HR rep before I filed a complaint. I think it is possible that her medical needs might qualify as an exception. 2. Say Lisa tells you that she only uses marijuana during off-work hours. Would that change your course of action? It depends on the language of the drug policy. For example, if the policy states that employees cannot use drugs on the job, then I would not see a problem with Lisa using medical marijuana outside of work. While a business trip does fall into a gray area, I would be inclined to consider there to still be a difference between active work hours and off-the-clock personal time. 3. Which is more important: Lisa's medical needs or your company's drug policy? As a future physician, I believe that the health and well-being of individuals should always be prioritized. At the same time, professionalism and ethics are also important—to me, this means honesty and respect and adherence to rules. Lisa's situation clearly falls under multiple gray areas that I imagine will come to the forefront of debate as the legal status of cannabis continues to evolve.

Conflict resolution question

1. Private convo 2. Empathy 3. Problems 4. Info gathering 5. Solutions - if/then 1. State the problem 2. Empathize for both sides (I completely understand the other member's frustrations, but there might be a valid reason why xyz is happening) 3. Gather information from the primary person that's causing the issue in a private manner and appropriate time. As this person's friend/classmate/etc I want to make sure everything is OK with xyz, and also help find some strategies to resolve some of the xyz issue. 4. I would (ration decision). Maybe there is something going on in her life that we don't know about? 5. Letting xyz explain their situation fully will help us understand how we can best support xyz's efforts. Fill in the blanks: The primary problem is . The secondary problem is . I completely understand that there are different sides to this situation, so I need to find the correct way to address the situation. I will gather facts in a private manner and at an appropriate time. As my relation to this person, I care about their wellbeing and will help find solutions to resolve some of their issues. I would decide to . Maybe there is something we do not know about that is contributing to the problem? Allowing us to gather all the facts will help us fully understand how we can best support the situation in a respectful and efficient manner. (This also follows the PPRDJ formula)

You are sitting in a meeting with Frank and Julia, two of your co-workers at a financial firm. Frank wants to talk about a member of his team, Jason, with regards to some concerning behavior of late. Frank is concerned that Jason has been showing up late to work and has been seen dozing off during meetings. Despite this behavior, the team's overall performance has been very positive. Julia weighs in on the conversation, saying that our company encourages flexible working conditions, where employees can maintain their own schedules as long as they maintain good performance with positive reviews. Frank further elaborates that Jason has been acting a little distant of late and avoiding any personal questions about his family; he's worried that this behavior could be a sign of something more serious. While Julia seems concerned by this disclosure, she informs Frank that, as long as Jason has not shared any specific struggles with Frank, it would be a transgression of boundaries to approach Jason about personal matters. 1. What advice would you give to Frank about his team member, Jason? 2. Do you agree that taking any additional action in this situation would be considered "overstepping boundaries"? Why or why not? 3. Imagine you heard rumors that Jason was being bullied at work, would this change your reaction to the situation? Explain your response.

1. What advice would you give to Frank about his team member, Jason? Based on the information provided, I would be concerned about the well-being of my co-worker's team member. I would inform him that it sounds that his team member might be experiencing personal problems, which may be impacting his behavior and potentially his mental health. It may also be that Jason's job satisfaction has declined recently, leading him to distance himself somewhat from his work and co-workers. However, I would caution against making assumptions and encourage Frank to speak with Jason in a private and non-judgmental manner, creating a safe space for confidential disclosures of potentially personal matters. I would suggest that he share his concerns with Jason and give him an opportunity to share any personal struggles with him, if he is comfortable doing so. There could be alternative explanations to his recent behavior, such as a new and/or untreated medical condition, in conjunction with trying to maintain a semblance of privacy. However, given that mental health deterioration related to personal stressors (including physical health, personal struggles, poor work-life balance, etc.) could lead to catastrophic results, it's important to reach out to Jason as a concerned member of the same team. If his team member is experiencing personal problems at home, Frank can offer him support and refer him to counseling. Additionally, Jason may benefit from some time off work, regardless of the reason for his recent behavior. In any case, it is important to address the issue for Jason's sake, in the interest of his own well-being, and to help him see that he is supported by his team. 2. Do you agree that taking any additional action in this situation would be considered "overstepping boundaries"? Why or why not? In this scenario, it would depend on intent and approach. If the intent of probing for more information is mere curiosity, it would be considered "overstepping boundaries". However, if the intent of probing for more information is to ensure the safety and well-being of the team member, then no, I would not consider this "overstepping boundaries". Additionally, the setting and method of approach needs to be sensitive to the privacy and comfort of the team member. This conversation should take place in a private setting and be confidentiality maintained - and this should be clearly communicated to Jason, so that he feels safe making any disclosures. While the lines of such boundaries can be complex, when a team member's mental or physical health or well-being may be at stake, a careful and sensitive approach is better than disinterest or apathy. 3. Imagine you heard rumors that Jason was being bullied at work, would this change your reaction to the situation? Explain your response. It would not change my approach to the situation. I would start by gathering more information, since I cannot act on rumors. In order to do that, I would meet directly with Jason in a private setting and speak with him in a non-judgmental and non-confrontational manner. I would also inform him that all information discussed would be confidential and demonstrate my investment in his well-being through active listening and a compassionate approach. While it is important to address any behavior that creates a negative work environment, my ultimate concern would be Jason's well-being. As such, in our initial meeting, I would focus on this, and - if necessary - follow up with a full investigation into the bullying allegations.

You are a member of a study group and you observe two members of your group, John and Steve, having a heated conversation. John looks stressed and is upset that the group project is not yet close to being complete, despite being due at the end of the week. When Steve asks John what is stressing him out, he says he is overwhelmed by the amount of work which was redistributed to group members when Marshal, another group member, had to leave the group due to a medical condition. While Marshal's medical condition is severe and required hospitalization, John is upset that Marshal knew how important this project is to everyone's grades and thinks it's unfair for the other members of the group to have to take on the work Marshal was supposed to complete. To make matters worse, Steve discovers a recently posted picture on Marshal's Facebook page showing him at a pool party, which further angers John. With the current arrangement, the work submitted by the group would award Marshal the same grade as the others, despite not completing the same amount of work. John suggests Marshal has been dishonest about his medical condition to get out of work, while Steve reminds John that this picture could have been taken a while back. Steve turns to you and asks you to decide how to proceed from here. 1. What do you recommend to your group members? 2. Do you think it is okay to report a concern to a supervisor based on a suspicion? Why or why not? 3. Do you believe that one false or inappropriate post on social media can have a lasting effect on someone's career? Explain your response.

1. What do you recommend to your group members? This is a moral and ethical dilemma. While it may appear that Marshal has been using his medical condition to try and get out of work, it is important to take a step back and not jump to any conclusions. At this stage, I would like to know whether the photo posted on Facebook is a new or old photo; in order to do that, I would try to contact Marshal. Ideally, I would like to speak with him in a private, non-confrontational, and non-judgmental manner. If this is an old photo from when he was feeling better, then all is resolved. However, if it comes to light that this is a new photo, then I would ask him if he feels that his health has improved to the point where he can come back to the group to contribute. Just because he was able to attend one party, that does not necessarily mean that he is well enough to come back to school. Perhaps he has been discharged from hospital but is still recovering and went to the party to try to remain social to help with his mental health and general well-being. If Marshal has been dishonest about his medical state, I would first encourage him to try to make up for this by returning to the group and completing the work that had been assigned to him. If he refuses to do so, then I would not hesitate to report the situation to the course professor. Additionally, regardless of Marshal's situation, I would suggest that the group seek an extension from the professor, given the abrupt loss of a group member and the necessary re-distribution of workload. 2. Do you think it is okay to report a concern to a supervisor based on a suspicion? Why or why not? I think that, prior to reporting a concern, it would be my responsibility to investigate the legitimacy of the claim to the best of my abilities. If I find evidence to support that concern, then I would report that concern to a supervisor. Ultimately, the supervisor would use the provided evidence to further investigate the concern and approach the claim in an unbiased manner. Often, supervisors have more resources available to them to fully investigate such matters and to come to a rational and unbiased conclusion. 3. Do you believe that one false or inappropriate post on social media can have a lasting effect on someone's career? Explain your response. I do believe that one false or inappropriate post can have a detrimental effect on someone's career. A recent example involves Kevin Hart, a well-known comedian. He was scheduled to host the 2018 Oscars, when a series of old homophobic tweets re-surfaced from 2010. As a result, he decided to step down from hosting the Oscars, which would have been a great addition to an otherwise distinguished career. Posts on social media usually reflect our beliefs and, as such, are used to determine the moral caliber of a person. In this case, the posts were from 8 years ago, but expressing discriminatory views at any time can negatively impact someone. While I understand that individuals do change and grow with time, in this case, the burden of proof would be placed on Kevin Hart to show that he has changed - through his actions and specific views - before he is allowed to host any prestigious and public events again.

Your project group members are frustrated because one member—Paul—left the group last minute, leaving everyone else with a lot of work to complete before the approaching deadline. Paul said he had to leave the group due to a worsening medical condition, but your classmate sees a photo of him at a pool party on social media. Your group members are conflicted. One wants to report Paul to the academic coordinator so he doesn't receive a grade for the group project he left. But your other classmate doesn't want to do anything without having all the facts—maybe it's an old photo, after all. It's your call, what should you do? 1. What do you recommend to your group members? 2. Do you think it is okay to report a concern to a supervisor based on a suspicion? Why or why not? 3. Do you believe that one false or inappropriate post on social media can have a lasting effect on someone's career? Explain your response.

1. What do you recommend to your group members? I would ask to get more information before acting. I would meet Paul in person and determine if the photo was new or old. If he's truly ill and it was an old photo, I would ask how I could support him. If it's a new photo, I would express the group's concerns about the justice of the situation. If he's able to attend a party, is he able to contribute to the project and his own grade? I would give him the option to rejoin the group and complete the project with us. If he refused, I would explain the situation to the academic coordinator to protect my and the other group members' grades. 2. Do you think it is okay to report a concern to a supervisor based on a suspicion? Why or why not? It's my responsibility to make an effort to verify a concern before reporting it to my supervisor. If after seeking more information, I couldn't verify or disprove my concern, I would weigh the costs of staying silent or making a report. As a physician, if I suspected someone was putting a patient's life in danger, I would report my suspicion. I would trust my supervisor to use their resources to investigate the matter further and make a final decision. 3. Do you believe that one false or inappropriate post on social media can have a lasting effect on someone's career? Explain your response. Yes, social media posts have the power to impact a person's career. Recently we've seen celebrities attacked for offensive posts they made in the past, even if their current views have changed. Professionals, especially those who require the public's trust like physicians do, should consider how their actions on social media could be interpreted by others.

You are an employee at a retail store and you overhear an interaction between a customer and another employee at the cash register. The customer is here to return an item; however, she does not have a receipt for the purchased item and claims to have paid in cash. Despite assurances by the customer that she did buy the item at your store, your colleague informs the customer that, while she can provide store credit or an exchange, store policy does not allow refunds of more than $20 without a receipt. The customer informs your colleague that she really needs a refund given that this was a birthday purchase for her daughter, but now she desperately requires that money to buy her daughter's prescription medication. While the manager can override the store policy, she is away until next week. Your colleague turns to you for advice given that you have been working at the store for longer than she has. 1. What do you tell the other employee - go ahead and give the refund, or abide by store policy? Justify your answer. 2. Assume you advise the newer employee not to give the refund, but she does anyway. Do you report this to your supervisor? Why or why not? 3. If you were asked to establish a policy around refunds for a new store, what aspects would you take into consideration?

1. What do you tell the other employee - go ahead and give the refund, or abide by store policy? Justify your answer. As a fellow employee of the store, the pressing issue is that of an ethical dilemma. I would like to help the customer as best as I can without compromising store policy. Before I make a decision on the matter, I would first like to gather more information. As I take this step, I would verbalize my appreciation of the customer's patience and speak with her in a non-judgmental and non-confrontational manner, demonstrating understanding of the difficult situation she is in by actively listening to her and acknowledging her concerns. If there are other customers around, I would take this conversation to a private space to avoid embarrassing the customer or making her feel uncomfortable. I would like to know when this customer bought the item and confirm that she did buy it from this store location. It's possible that this customer bought this item a few months or even years ago and, as such, it would not be eligible for a refund. Additionally, I would like to consult the store policy to ensure that there are strict rules with regards to refunding of items without a receipt. There might be a clause where store employees may return items without a receipt for a full refund at their discretion. I am aware that my manager is away, but I can always call a different branch of the store which might have a store manager available to provide guidance, or - if possible - I could call our store's manager to see if I could get approval to process the return. Based on the information I have gathered, if the customer did indeed buy the item from our location and I am able to refund them in cash, based on a discretionary rule or leeway in store policy, I would not hesitate to complete the refund. If I am unable to provide a refund, I would apologize profusely; however, I would try to assist this customer as best as I can. To try to help with the current dilemma, I would encourage her to seek medical help at the emergency department if the prescription required is for a life-threatening condition. Additionally, I would encourage her to speak with her pharmacist, as they may accommodate a payment plan for prescriptions, or they may have a generic form of the medication that costs significantly less. For the future, I would encourage her to contact her family physician and make an appointment, given that they might be able to access social support programs for prescriptions if she is having financial difficulties and has no health insurance to cover the prescriptions. As well, in mentioning her financial difficulties to her family physician, she may find that the doctor can prescribe similar medications that are less pricey than the current prescription for her daughter. The doctor may even have some samples of the medication in question, which can be given out at no cost. Note: If you are struggling to come up with answers like this on the spot, review our blog on how to prepare for CASPer first, then come back to this blog to try again. 2. Assume you advise the newer employee not to give the refund, but she does anyway. Do you report this to your supervisor? Why or why not? It would depend on the store policy, since upholding such policy is my duty as an employee. If there was a discretionary rule whereby an employee can provide the refund, given that they have justification for doing so, then I would not report her. I would instead encourage her to document the event so that she can submit a report to management. If it was clearly against the rules, and my advice was in line with store policy and procedures, then I would give her the opportunity to do the right thing and report her actions to the manager. I would gently remind her of her ethical responsibility and her responsibility as an employee, as a way of encouraging her to uphold such standards. I would follow up with her and, if she has not reported the incident, then I would report to the manager without hesitation. 3. If you were asked to establish a policy around refunds for a new store, what aspects would you take into consideration? With regard to setting a refund policy, my goal would be to provide the best shopping experience to customers without compromising the store from a business perspective. Prior to establishing a new policy, I would love to hear from our customers to learn what they would like to see in a return policy; I would solicit such information in the form of a survey, to determine what seems fair and appropriate from their perspective. I would also send the survey to employees and upper management to get their input. Additionally, I would look into refund policies at other stores, to see how a proper balance between customer and business needs is met. My priority would be making the return policy transparent, uncomplicated, and in the best interest of the shopper. With regard to transparency, I would clearly outline the return policy on the store's website and place a copy by the store's cashier. I would have training sessions so that employees can learn and disclose our policies at the point of purchase. With regard to ensuring the policy is uncomplicated, I would construct a policy that is simple, universal, and that does not include a lot of rules. Ideally, I would limit the policy to 4-5 rules that protect both the customer and our store. Additionally, I would provide an electronic as well as a printed receipt to customers, so they can access their receipt from anywhere; that way, that the issue presented in the scenario would be much less likely to arise again in the future. With the customer's consent, I would also establish an in-house database, where items purchased by a customer can be looked up on our system; this would be a service provided to the customer and they would have to enroll, given laws around privacy and maintaining their personal information in our database. Finally, with regard to having the policy lean more in favor of the consumer, I would have a "no questions asked" policy if they are returning one of our products.

You are an employee at a company and over a period, you have observed harsh treatment towards a black co-worker. When asked, your boss says he is hard on her because he wants to see her improve her weaknesses and reach her full potential, however it is perceived as discriminatory by not only you, but others in the office as well. 1. What is going through your mind? 2. What should you do? 3. What would you do if you were the employee being discriminated against?

1. What is going through your mind? At this point, I am wondering if this is discrimination or if the boss is hard on her because she has potential that he is trying to help her realize. If he is trying to help her realize her potential, he should treat other employees with the same level of intensity, as his goal should be to help everyone flourish. The major problematic factor is that she is being treated differently from others. However, it is possible that the boss genuinely wants to help her and is pushing her to genuinely help her. It is difficult for me to discern what is occurring; I will have to investigate to find out what is occurring. 2. What should you do? I need to gather information to learn what is going on. First, I would talk to the employee of color and ask her about her experiences, as it is possible that I am misinterpreting what is going on. First, I would ask her how she feels about how the boss treats her-if she feels like he treats her fairly and equal to others? If she feels he treats her well, then there is nothing further to investigate. However, if she feels like she is being discriminated against, I would ask her how long this has been occurring, as well as ask for specific examples of this ill treatment. I would encourage her to approach the Human Resources department with her concerns so they can help her mediate this situation with the boss. Additionally, I would approach the boss to investigate further, why he treats her like this. If he genuinely believes he is helping her grow, I would be understanding but also point out how his treatment of her may be perceived by others. If he confesses to discriminating against her, I will notify him that discriminatory behavior is not acceptable in the workplace. If he agrees to change that is great, but if not, I will report him to higher authorities in the company. 3. What would you do if you were the employee being discriminated against? I would first investigate and find out if I am truly the only person being treated this way, it is possible that he may be treating other employees in a similar fashion but I may just be unaware of this. If it turns out that he is treating others equally harshly, then there is no problem, as I am not facing discrimination. However, if it turns out that I am the only person receiving this treatment, I will approach my boss to share my concerns. If he is understanding and commits to changing how he treats me, I will be forgiving and give him a second chance, but if he is harsh and refuses to hear my concerns, I will approach the human resources department with my concerns so they may help me mediate this situation.

There is a local bully, Thomas, who has been taunting children as they walk home from school and has been known to create a fearful environment for other children in the neighborhood. One day as he is troubling a group of innocent girls, Willy, a fellow classmate was fed up and punched the bully repeatedly. The bully was badly harmed and taken to hospital to get stitches, his parents are now asking who did this to him. 1. What should you do? 2. Is it acceptable for someone to do bad things for a good reason? 3. What are your thoughts on the philosophy, "one needs to have a taste of your own medicine"?

1. What should you do? In this situation, I am in a difficult position because I do not want Willy to get into trouble for standing up for himself, but at the same time his actions were wrong. I would have to encourage Willy to go forward to report what he did. If he refuses, I would tell him that it is my ethical responsibility to report him. However, to seek justice for all the bullied students, and hopefully reduce the penalties Willy may face, I would get every student who has been bullied by Thomas to sign a petition or come forward, so that Thomas may face some consequences for his negative behaviors, and hopefully change his behavior. 2. Is it acceptable for someone to do bad things for a good reason? No. Sometimes people are put in a difficult situation that may tempt them to respond in an unethical way, for example, a mother stealing to feed her hungry child, but the reality remains that their actions are still unethical. In such situations, I believe the penalty one should receive must reflect their extenuating circumstances, because though their behavior was wrong, their intent was not malicious. Additionally, social services need to be made available, so that good people in bad situations have somewhere to turn so that they never feel like unethical behavior is the only option. 3. What are your thoughts on the philosophy, "one needs to have a taste of your own medicine"? There are many situations in life in which a wrong-doer learns from experiencing the pain they inflict on others, however, there are many angles to consider. One advantage of this philosophy is that if an individual suffers what they make others endure, they are more likely to realize the extent of their wrongdoing and are less likely to be a repeat offender. However, one disadvantage is that doing wrong to someone who does you wrong does not make it right, and there are some situations in which it is not even possible to do so. For example, some wrong-doers, like dictators, are highly protected and in many cases, there is no way to give them "a taste of their own medicine". Overall, I think it is wrong to give people a taste of their own medicine, I believe legal avenues should be taken to hold accountable people who do wrong.

One of your co-workers, Vanessa, has started to frequently call in sick or leave work early, causing more work for you and the rest of your team. When you ask Vanessa why she's missing so much work, she confesses to you that her husband has moved out, which has left her without adequate childcare. You are sympathetic to her problem but are sick of picking up the slack. What should you do? 1. What would you say to Vanessa? Would you let her know that she's negatively affecting the rest of the team? 2. What would you do if you were Vanessa and a co-worker spoke to you about this situation? 3. Discuss a situation in which you had to balance personal and professional demands. There are a number of factors to consider in this scenario. You'll want to discuss showing empathy for people in difficult situations, what responsibilities team members hold, and the importance of clear communication. In addition, because doctors frequently have to balance personal and professional demands, you'll also need to think through how you would be equipped to handle these kinds of situations in your future professional life.

1. What would you say to Vanessa? Would you let her know that she's negatively affecting the rest of the team? First and foremost, I would express compassion for Vanessa by saying something like, "I'm so sorry to hear about your difficulties at home. I can only imagine how challenging it must be to balance that with work right now. Let me know how I can help." Then I would wait until a different time to pull her aside to discuss how the team has been affected by her absences. I would let her know clearly but without anger or judgment, and I would encourage her to speak to our supervisor. While I believe that it's the supervisor's responsibility to create an equitable arrangement for getting work done, I also think that it's Vanessa's responsibility to help facilitate that process by keeping the supervisor in the loop. 2. What would you do if you were Vanessa and a co-worker spoke to you about this situation? If I were on Vanessa's end of the conversation, I would listen to my co-worker's perspective and try my best not to be defensive even though I'm sure I would feel frustration and that the situation was not my fault. Nevertheless, I'd apologize to my team members for creating extra work for them, and then I would speak to my supervisor and HR person in hopes of finding a better solution. I would also speak to other single parents in the company and ask them how they've handled situations like this in the past. 3. Discuss a situation in which you had to balance personal and professional demands. During my sophomore year of college, my mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. My family lived about two hours away from my school, so I started driving home every weekend to help take care of household tasks like cleaning and laundry. This was a stressful arrangement for me, and as a result I was constantly exhausted and did not do as well as I should have in some of my classes that semester. In retrospect, I could have taken pass/fail classes or perhaps a leave of absence. If I faced a difficult personal situation like this again in the future, I would try to find similar ways to temporarily adjust my professional life.

How to shorten sentences to write concisely:

1. When making a reference to the passage use a general term for it instead of writing it out. Ex: He said that removing animal products has the benefits of x, y, z. Say His "idea" or "the benefits he mentioned" or "the reasons outlined above" Ex: He said he will do x, y, z. Say his proposal. 2. Instead of rambling on, mention 2-3 key points MAX *before typing think about 1) what I want to say, and 2) how I want to say it *make them clear, straight to the point and well organized

You're a college professor. One of your students struggles with writing and typically does not turn in high-quality papers. Halfway through the semester, you notice that the quality of his work dramatically improves. You suspect that he may be plagiarizing, but you are unable to find any evidence that the work is not his own. How would you handle this? 1. Would you confront this student? What would you say? 2. Say the student was on probation and would certainly be expelled if he were found guilty of plagiarism. How would this affect your course of action? 3. How important do you think it is to give people the benefit of the doubt?

1. Would you confront this student? What would you say? I would meet with the student and ask him how the course is going for him. I would say, "It's great to see you getting the material and improving your writing. What's made such a big difference for you? How did you approach writing this paper?" I would follow up with other detailed questions about the course material and writing process. I believe that giving him the opportunity to show he does understand the material well and offer alternative explanations would be the respectful thing to do. For example, maybe he's working with a tutor, or perhaps there was an extenuating circumstance earlier in the semester that's cleared up. Because a plagiarism accusation is serious—and it is crucial in this situation to note that there is no hard evidence—his responses to these questions would determine whether or not I would decide to move forward with asking if the work was his own. 2. Say the student was on probation and would certainly be expelled if he were found guilty of plagiarism. How would this affect your course of action? I believe that plagiarism is a serious offense for any student, so knowing a student could be expelled wouldn't change what I would do with this student vs. a student who was not on probation. Either way, I would try to get to the bottom of the situation in a careful, compassionate way. 3. How important do you think it is to give people the benefit of the doubt? Doctors must always be prepared to help others, one part of which is offering empathy and two-way communication. I don't believe this means looking the other way when there is clear wrongdoing, but in my opinion, it is very important to try to understand the nuance of a situation, which means giving others the benefit of the doubt so long as it doesn't mean potentially putting people in harm's way.

You are sitting in on a conversation between Tom and Jessie, two of your co-workers at an energy firm. Tom informs Jessie that he is having a tough time with a personal decision: he and his wife are expecting a child, and his wife would like him to take paternity leave with her. He tells Jessie that the company is taking on a new project that he would lead and doing well on this project could significantly advance his career. Despite his excitement for parenthood, he is struggling between spending time with his family in the short-term vs. focusing on his career, which would ultimately benefit his family in the long-term. He feels that if he misses this work opportunity, he will not get a similar chance for a few years. Additionally, claiming that the industry is largely "male-dominated," he feels that his boss would not be understanding if he requested paternity leave; he even recalls a time in the past when a male colleague who took paternity leave was penalized by being kept in the same position for years upon his return to work. Jessie turns to you and asks, "What do you think he should do?" 1. Would you recommend he take paternity leave? Why or why not? 2. What strategies could you offer to help him make a decision that he feels comfortable with? 3. Maintaining work-life balance can be challenging. Why do you think people struggle to find balance?

1. Would you recommend he take paternity leave? Why or why not? This is a challenging and sensitive situation, wherein Tom feels like he must choose between his career and spending time with his partner and newborn child. Prior to making a decision, I would need to gather more information. First, I would like to know the company's policy with regard to paternity leave, so I would consult Human Resources (HR) and I would encourage Tom to speak with both HR and his boss to understand their perspective on paternity leave. I would also have a private and non-judgmental conversation with Tom, to discuss his priorities. Does he prioritize spending time with his family or does he prioritize his career in terms of a speedy trajectory to promotion? This information would inform my advice. If he feels strongly about spending time with his partner and newborn, given that this is a special time that only happens once, I would encourage him to spend time with his family. If he feels that prioritizing his career for the best interest of providing for his family and that sacrificing spending time with his wife and newborn is acceptable, then I would support his decision. Ultimately, the one with the most insight would be Tom and I would help guide his decision. Information collected about the company would help inform Tom of the potential consequences of taking paternity leave based on whether the company is supportive or unsupportive of paternity leave. This will also help inform his decision. That said, I would encourage Tom not to rely on hearsay regarding his other colleague's supposed punishment for taking paternity leave, as there are any number of reasons why he may have been kept in his position - we simply don't have (and may not be able to access) all the facts around that event. 2. What strategies could you offer to help him make a decision that he feels comfortable with? As stated above, I would encourage him to gather concrete information about the company and their policy and culture around paternity leave. He would be able to do this by speaking with human resources, with his boss, and with colleagues who have taken (or given up) paternity leave. This will help inform his decision with regards to impact on his job projection and promotion. Once this information is collected, I would brainstorm with Tom around his current priorities and what sacrifices he is willing to make to fulfill his goals. The decision would be whether to take paternity leave to prioritize spending time with his wife and newborn while potentially delaying career progression vs. not taking paternity leave sacrificing spending time with his wife and newborn for career progression, which would provide financial security for his family in the long-term. This is a personal decision, and I would support Tom by making sure he collects all the necessary information required to make this decision. 3. Maintaining work-life balance can be challenging. Why do you think people struggle to find balance? There are many demands on our time and we often struggle to maintain an acceptable work-life balance. Work-life balance is often defined as time allocated to one's career vs. time allocated to other personal aspects of one's life, such as family, recreation, and self-care. The assumption is that work requires energy expenditure and life activities recharge one's energy. There are many reasons why individuals struggle with maintaining an acceptable work-life balance, including having a demanding job, poor time management or scheduling skills, unrealistic expectations by employers, and financial pressures. One unique challenge of the present era is also the expectation that employees are effectively "on call" at all hours; with email, text, and social media communication, employees rarely "clock out" at 5pm and leave work until the following day. It is important for individuals to identify the specific reasons behind their personal situation and try to have a more balanced approach to life. As well, employers bear some responsibility here, and should be mindful of the time demands they place on employees. Overall, it is important to recognize that a poor work-life balance can often have negative effects on individuals and can impact their work performance and their overall health, so a good work-life balance is in the best interest of everyone involved.

A co-worker whose wife is pregnant is conflicted whether or not to take paternity leave. He and his wife would both like him to spend time at home with the baby, but doing so might take him out of consideration for an upcoming promotion at work. Should he prioritize family or career? In addition, his industry doesn't seem to support men who take paternity leave. A former colleague was penalized for taking leave and spent years stuck in the same position before finally leaving the company. As his co-worker, what do you think he should do? 1. Would you recommend he take paternity leave? Why or why not? 2. What strategies could you offer to help him make a decision that he feels comfortable with? 3. Maintaining a work-life balance can be challenging. Why do you think people struggle to find balance?

1. Would you recommend he take paternity leave? Why or why not? Before making a recommendation, I would first gather more information. I would find the company's HR policy on paternity leave and review it with my co-worker. Once we understood the policy, I would help my co-worker clarify his priorities in an accepting, non-judgmental way. Does he prioritize spending this time with his wife and child or securing a promotion to help him provide for them financially? Using the policy to inform us, I would support my co-worker in making a priority-based decision. 2. What strategies could you offer to help him make a decision that he feels comfortable with? I would encourage my co-worker to gather information on the company culture surrounding paternity leave from multiple perspectives—including HR, his boss, and other colleagues who've taken leave. I would suggest he weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each option, both short-term and long-term. 3. Maintaining a work-life balance can be challenging. Why do you think people struggle to find balance? Sustaining work-life balance is challenging in today's society because technology makes everyone easily accessible. This allows work matters to intrude on non-work time. Employers sometimes demand too much from their employees, and employees may struggle to define their work-life boundaries. Additionally, everyone's ideal work-life balance is unique—some may feel balanced during 60-hour workweeks, while others would be overwhelmed. Maintaining work-life balance is in everyone's best interest because it improves productivity and overall health.

You are a member of a study group and you observe members of your group having a heated conversation. Mike and John are confronting Sarah about her inconsistent contribution to the study group. Mike and John are upset that Sarah did not contribute to the study session today and accuse her of not being prepared. Sarah defends herself by saying that she has been busy writing an important paper. Mike and John inform her that they also had the same paper due and, despite that, were able to show up prepared for the session. They then accuse her of regularly coming to tutorials unprepared, suggesting that she's only learning from the information that they have provided during the study sessions. Sarah informs them that she has been under a lot of stress and that they are not being fair to her. She prepares to leave due to their "negativity". 1. You are a member of the study group and have not participated in the interaction so far, but now the group is looking to you. How would you diffuse this situation? 2. Do you agree with the two students who are upset with Sarah? Why or why not? 3. What suggestions can you make to help the group function better going forward?

1. You are a member of the study group and have not participated in the interaction so far, but now the group is looking to you. How would you diffuse this situation? This is a difficult situation to be placed in, and one that requires some conflict resolution as well as a non-judgmental approach toward all my colleagues. As a member of the group, my primary concern is diffusing the tension while maintaining collegiality within the group and moving toward successful completion of our coursework. There is a clear difference in perspectives and its important to mediate the conversation. The most important first step is to actively listen to both sides to promote understanding, so I would ask probing questions to understand why the different parties feel the way they do, and to more fully understand everyone's perspectives and priorities. For everyone to be able to voice their concerns, they must feel that they are in a safe, fair, and accepting space. I would validate Mike and John's feelings with regards to their frustrations about feeling that Sarah doesn't come prepared; but I would also validate Sarah's feelings around being occupied with other material. Sarah has also indicated that she has been under a lot of stress, so I would speak privately with her, in order to determine whether she was dealing with a personal matter or emergency. I would help her identify any barriers which may be impeding her ability to prepare for these sessions. Based on the information provided, I would refer her to campus resources for support, if appropriate (e.g., academic counsellor, mental wellness office, accessibility services, etc.). After speaking with all parties, I would help reset group expectations by reaffirming our goals, expectations, and roles within the group, while also fostering a collegial environment by demonstrating respect and understanding. After everyone's expectations are established, I would follow up with my colleagues at our next study session to ensure we are all on track. As well, I would again speak with Sarah privately to check in on her overall wellbeing. 2. Do you agree with the two students who are upset with Sarah? Why or why not? As mentioned above, I can understand where the two male students' frustrations are stemming from. Their feelings need to be validated, but, as stated above, both the perspectives of Sarah and the male students needs to be explored and shared with each other. Once that is done, common ground needs to be established regarding expectations. If Sarah has indeed not been preparing for the sessions, and this was not due to extenuating circumstances, then I would agree with the two male students' feelings, because, as a member of the group, everyone needs to contribute equally. However, it is important to obtain Sarah's perspective and to help her overcome barriers which are hindering her contribution. While I understand the other students' frustrations, they may be upset over something completely out of Sarah's control. 3. What suggestions can you make to help the group function better going forward? As mentioned above, airing of grievances is important followed by establishing clear expectations. Allowing all parties to air grievances, and making space for other members to defend themselves, gives everyone an equal opportunity to share their perspective. Setting expectations allows everyone to be aware of minimum requirements to be part of the group. Such expectations can be determined collectively, with everyone offering input on their perceived "best practices" for group membership. Finally, for the betterment of the group's experience, exploring barriers which are hindering group members from participating is in everyone's favor and should be pursued as a group. Once barriers are identified, then strategies to overcome these barriers can be implemented, allowing all group members to be contributing members. If at any time I felt as though professional support or advice would be beneficial to this process, I would reach out to our professor, TA, or other authority, to see what advice they might have for ensuring group cohesion.

Yes or no/policy questions

1. acknowledge both sides of the story 2. provide examples of why both sides of the story can be backed up 3. provide your stance or offer an alternative solution that can cause more benefit and less harm Formula: This is a difficult situation, which has pros and cons. The pros include , which can ultimately cause . The cons include , which can ultimately cause . I suggest because this will have a broader benefit, minimizing harm.

General question/ethical formula

1. problem identification - nonjudgemental 2. gather info - nonjudgemental approach to get clarification through personal conversation 3. offer solutions - if/then 4. summary - by doing this/I would be able to do this Formula: Although this is the situation, I want to collect all the facts before making a decision. To clarify the situation, I will have a private, non-judgemental conversation with xyz. If all is well then I will continue to xyz If all is not completely well then I will moderately adjust my actions accordingly If all is completely not well then I will take an extreme approach By getting clarification through private conversations and addressing the situation according to the facts, I will be able to handle it in the most appropriate, just, and respectful manner. The primary problem is . The secondary problem is . I completely understand that there are different sides to this situation, so I need to find the correct way to address the situation. I will gather facts in a private manner and at an appropriate time. As my relation to this person, I care about their wellbeing and will help find solutions to resolve some of their issues. I would decide to . Maybe there is something we do not know about that is contributing to the problem? Allowing us to gather all the facts will help us fully understand how to best support the situation in a respectful and efficient manner.

Empathy question

1. show empathy for the situation 2. personal example that you can use to illustrate these points 3. what you learned from your personal experience 4. relate it to the future Formula: The difficult impact of the situation on their wellbeing/autonomy/safety/quality of life. I have personally experienced/witnessed similar difficulties with my family/friends/community and it impacted their lives by xyz. I learned the importance of physical/mental wellbeing I will apply this lesson to the future by thoughtfully approaching these situations, prioritizing respect for autonomy, health, and safety. Fill in the blanks: This situation can negatively impact their overall quality of life, compromising their wellbeing, safety, and autonomy. I have personally witnessed similar difficulties with my loved ones and it impacted their lives by preventing them from accessing living necessities and engaging in activities that brought them joy and promoted wellbeing, like going to the gym. Public transport was limited where they lived, which left them dependent on others who often were busy. Thus, the outlined situation could have a large negative impact on their overall wellbeing. It is crucial to recognize what is important to them and find ways to help them continue to do those activities while promoting autonomy and wellness, even in these situations.

Personal questions

1. summary of what you are going to address (Ex: who you are based off what people have said) 2. an example - the problem you solved, your intervention, the result, the lesson learned (importance of listening, perspective gathering, team-based problem solving) 3. future application (I will strive to be a leader who first addressed changes to my own behavior to have the capacity to help others address theirs). Formula: A summary of what you are going to address/repeat of the sentence and how it pertains to you. An example of the problem you solved by xyz My intervention caused xyz which was beneficial to all parties involved. This resulted in xyz I learned that the importance of xyz (listening, perspective gathering, team-based problem solving) will benefit individuals and the community by xyz. In the future, I will continue to strive to be a leader who recognizes/addresses my own behavior to have the capacity to help others, appropriately. Fill in the blank: Repeat sentence and a summary of example to follow. What u did. Why did u do this. What was its importance. How does this impact your future. Repeat sentence and summarize an example that you are going to address to answer this question. My intervention of was beneficial to . This resulted in . I learned that the importance of xyz (listening, perspective gathering, team-based problem solving) will benefit individuals and the community by xyz. In the future, I will continue to strive to be a leader who recognizes/addresses my own behavior to have the capacity to help others, appropriately What type of xyz are you/are you a leader or a follower? Ans: People have told me that I am a leader. What is a difficulty you have overcome? A difficulty I've overcome was talking to my grandmother on her deathbed and comforting my entire family, especially my mom because she was most closest to her. I spent every day for a week with my mom, allowing her to vent and cry. She lives alone and I wanted to make sure she had someone to talk to and was taking care of herself, both physically and mentally. Being my family's support system during difficult times was important to everyone's wellbeing. I will continue to cherish my grandmother's life, and support my loved ones throughout difficult times by promoting love, empathy, and strength.

One member of your student group, Sue, is showing up unprepared and not contributing. She blames this shortcoming on a paper she had to write, but the other members argue that they were responsible for the same paper yet still managed to show up prepared. Two other members begin confronting Sue about the problem. Question 1: You are a member of the study group and have not participated in the interaction so far, but now the group is looking to you. How would you defuse this situation?

ALWAYS BE SEARCHING... Part of what makes ethical dilemma questions tricky is their missing information. They don't usually give you everything you need to know to make a clear decision. In this case, you don't know anything about Sue's life or responsibilities beyond her apparent lack of group work and her questionable excuse. That's why you should always be searching. At first, you need to give her the benefit of the doubt and ask tactful, non-accusatory questions that might reveal whether she's withholding important information from the group. Maybe something like, "Is there anything going on outside of class that's causing a distraction? Is there any way we could help?" Keep your questions general, and voice them from a position of concern. Perhaps one of Sue's close family members passed away, or maybe she's stuck in an abusive relationship. Those might sound like extreme scenarios, but you can't make any assumptions. For all you know, there's a deep, terrible root to the much smaller problem in front of you. USE IF/THEN CONDITIONAL STATEMENTS... It's good to use conditional statements in your CASPer answers. For example: "If the group discovered a serious personal issue in Sue's life, I would offer to help Sue find support on campus and suggest talking to the professor as a group to explain the situation." "If Sue hesitated to give us a valid excuse, but seemed troubled, I would try to talk to her in private after the group meeting in case she was too embarrassed or afraid to speak in front of the group." "If it appears that Sue is simply neglecting her duties, I would try to re-establish a set of expectations for the group and have everyone sign off on them." "If Sue didn't correct her actions over the next few meetings, I would inform the professor about the situation and ask for his or her guidance." These conditional statements are like a cheat code for ethical dilemmas, because they let you create your own criteria for answering the question, while also showing yourself as someone who can think ahead and anticipate different outcomes. APPEAL TO A HIGHER AUTHORITY... In some ethical dilemmas, you can escape or skirt the decision-making process by calling upon some higher authority. There's a reason why we have laws as a society and why we have bosses in the workplace. We need strict rules and arbiters of the system so that we can navigate these grey ethical areas that present themselves. Sure, you want to explore all other options first. But in some cases, you won't be left with that many choices. It's important to know about the legal issues that apply to you as a student, a potential doctor, or a resident of your city/state. In some situations, you'll be limited by confidentiality, or oppositely, you'll be obligated to report a serious safety concern. Don't use these higher authorities as a cop-out, but definitely call upon them when appropriate.

Describe a situation you have had with a difficult patient.

In the pharmacy, we had a difficult patient who always came in stressed. Frequently, she would throw papers at new people who did not know that she didn't want the information papers that come with the prescriptions. When I dealt with her, I would usually listen to whatever present concern she had and try my best to fix it. I had no clue at the time what she was going through in her life, and did not want to think that she was just a mean person. When coworkers worked with her, I would usually warn them and let them know her preferences. After a while of listening to her issues and trying to start a conversation with her during the encounter, she started to be more polite in her dealings. I believe the fact that I treated her normally and did what I could for her helped build a mutual respect between us

Should it be the doctor or patients decision for physician assisted suicide

It should be both. On the patient's end, the should make sure this is what they really want. On the doctor's side, they need to make sure that it is medically futile for them to be alive any longer and make sure that they are comfortable with this decision and can live with themselves after. If the doctor is not comfortable with this, they should not be forced to do it

Think of a time where you made a sacrifice to accomplish a goal

Leaving scribing to try out a new field.

Describe a time in your life when you had to tell someone a hard truth. What did you learn from the experience?

My entire life, my parents have had bad diets that they passed on to my brother and I. About a year ago, my mother had labs done to assess her A1C and the results came back that she was verging on being type 2 diabetic. She had been hearing it from her doctors for years, but never made any changes. I had to sit her down with my brother and let her know that we were scared for her and she needs to make a change. We needed our mom even though we're growing up and want her to live a happy healthy life. In the end, she knew she needed to make a change but had been ignoring it for so long. I learned form that that if someone is really important to me I need to let them know and sometimes that is all the push they need to make changes. My mother is now in better health and has worked with my father to lead a healthier life.

Time when you handled conflict

Officer not doing her job in her position, gave her many warnings, tried to see if there was anything we could help with. After many warnings, we discovered that the real issue was work and school was too much. After discussing, she decided it was too much responsibility and split her duties among officers

PPRDJ

Problem Perspective Responsibility Decision Justification 1. State the problem 2. Empathize for both sides (I completely understand the other member's frustrations, but there might be a valid reason why xyz is happening) 3. Gather information from the primary person that's causing the issue in a private manner and appropriate time. As this person's friend/classmate/etc I want to make sure everything is OK with xyz, and also help find some strategies to resolve some of the xyz issue. 4. I would (ration decision). Maybe there is something going on in her life that we don't know about? 5. Letting xyz explain their situation fully will help us understand how we can best support xyz's efforts. 1. Fill in the blanks, 2. if you have time make it more specific to the problem/add details: The primary problem is . The secondary problem is . I completely understand that there are different sides to this situation, so I need to find the exact reason why this is happening. I will gather facts in a private manner and at an appropriate time. As my relation to this person, I care about their wellbeing and will help find solutions to resolve some of their issues. I would decide to . Maybe there is something we do not know about that is contributing to the problem? Allowing us to gather all the facts will help us fully understand how to best support the situation in a respectful and efficient manner.

Other formulas

Problem How to Solve Benefits of it What - what is the issue So what - why it's important Now what - what's coming Reiterate the question/problem Gather Info Apply the info Consider the implications Explore other points of view

A time you navigated a personal crisis (yours or someone else's)

Problem with mom. Open conversation, not getting mad, letting go.

Physician assisted suicide

Since this is such a hot topic in today's society it is important to look at both sides of the argument. On the pro side it can be helpful to eliminate unbearable pain that the terminal patient might be going through as well as giving individuals a choice and more freedom. However, on the con side it is unethical to allow someone to die before it is naturally time and violates the Hippocratic oath, devalues life. I think it depends in what state the patient is in. If they are begging for death and it is cruel to keep them alive, then I believe this is okay. If someone has an awful disease that will progress to where they are a shell of themselves, I can understand them wanting a good death. I think I would have to talk to the patient about what a good death means to them, and if that means they really truly do not want to live like that, I think it is okay. This would only work in the most severe of circumstances and would have to be carefully monitored.

What is the greatest challenge you have ever faced and what did you do to overcome it?

Studying for the MCAT and working at the same time.

Obstacle you overcome

Studying for the MCAT and working in research

Tell me about a time that you made a mistake at work?

There was a student who came to sit with me and do his work. He returned his completed homework and took out the new work in his folder. As he worked, he appeared to struggle a little bit. After he left, I was reviving his homework and realized he had a much older students work.

Describe a time when you used teamwork to solve a problem.

There were 1-2 students at Kumon who would always misbehave during class. Our instructor likes to rotate the students between her assistants to ensure consistency between students. We came up with a reward system using coins and stickers, to motivate all students.