Questions around equity, equality, diversity and inclusion are now a core part of consultant interviews. Panels are no longer testing whether candidates simply “support” equity – they want to understand how you actively improve equity for patients in your day-to-day practice and through wider service improvement.
This consultant interview question gives candidates an opportunity to demonstrate insight into their local population, awareness of barriers to access, and the ability to translate values into practical, patient-centred action. In this expert discussion, Tessa and Becky explore how to approach the question “What can you do to improve equity for patients?” in a way that is thoughtful, credible and interview-ready.
Check Out the Full Episode:
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/episode/0OTDtrcAe8QZxxoviOZ8YA?si=DjQoGxKNTeGB3jJ0FtwtnQ
Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/how-to-navigate-the-substantive-vs-locum-consultant/id1833792151?i=1000725468860
YouTube – https://youtu.be/6HNXyx_W08I?si=IgLb_T6KOBlYFe55
Consultant Interview Question: Improving Equity for Patients
Tessa:
The question is, what can you do to improve equity for patients?
Becky:
This is a question that one of our students got in an interview. I like it, the question, actually. I think it gives people a chance to show some nice breadth in their practice.
I also think it’s becoming much more common for people to be asked questions about equality, diversity and inclusion. So it’s really useful to have an example like this up your sleeve.
I think there are a few different ways to think about this. It’s a really nice opportunity to show that you’ve got some knowledge about the local population or patient group that you serve within your department. There may be some really obvious barriers to equity for some of your patients.
Have you got a very diverse patient group around your hospital? Are there lots of patients where there’s a language barrier? Is it a deprived area where it’s quite difficult for patients to get to appointments because of transport costs?
This is a great way to show that you understand your population and the things you personally do to address inequality. You can then build on that by talking about projects you might have done to address this.
Some of our students have done great work developing patient information leaflets in multiple languages. One had a brilliant example of producing culturally appropriate diet sheets for patients with diabetes. That’s a really strong project that directly addresses inequality.
There are lots of different things you could talk about. But what would you put in here, Tessa?
Tessa:
I think it ties back to what we were talking about before, the difference between a single encounter and a project.
I do think there’s a case for using an individual patient example here, because it’s more personal. If you’ve done a patient equity project, you should definitely use it. But I know people often feel they haven’t done one, and that can make this harder.
I think you can use a case. The whole EDI discussion in interviews benefits from a personal touch. If there’s an example you can think of, that’s fair game to use as well.
Becky:
I like that. My ideal answer would include something larger-scale, if the candidate has it, but also zoom in on an individual patient.
You might talk about one patient where you made a real difference by breaking down barriers. Did you support a neurodivergent patient or a transgender patient in a way that completely changed how they experienced care?
I also like there to be something about the workforce. What do you do to value diversity among your colleagues? Some people have projects around induction for IMGs or initiatives that celebrate diversity.
I like a mix – zooming in on a patient, zooming out to the bigger picture, and thinking about the workforce as well.
Tessa:
This question is specific to equity for patients, though. Could you relate it to workforce equity? Possibly, because EDI in the workforce leads to better patient care. But I’m not sure if that’s too indirect.
Becky:
I think it depends how you frame it. I’ve had people talk about using their own cultural experiences to help relate to patients, and that can work well.
But you’re right – this question is specifically about patients, so it’s important to answer what’s actually being asked.
Tessa:
Exactly. And EDI questions are very common now. You shouldn’t be surprised or panicked when one comes up. Expect it.
It’s also a type of question where it’s easy to dig yourself into a hole. If you think about it in advance, it’s actually not that hard to be well prepared.
Key Takeaways
- Expect EDI questions – improving equity for patients is now a standard consultant interview topic
- Demonstrate local insight – show you understand your patient population and their barriers to care
- Use projects where possible – equity initiatives, patient information improvements or service adaptations are strong examples
- Personal examples still work – a single patient story can be powerful if it clearly demonstrates impact
- Answer the question directly – keep the focus on patient equity, even if you reference wider systems
- Preparation prevents pitfalls – thinking this through in advance helps avoid missteps in interview
