How to answer “Would you lie to a dying grandfather?” in a medical school interview
- Topic
- End of life
- Kind
- Ethical dilemma
Prompt
Your grandfather is in his final days at home and keeps asking whether his son, your uncle, is coming to see him. Your uncle, who has not spoken to him in 12 years, has told the family he will not come. Your aunt wants to tell your grandfather that your uncle is on his way. What would you do?
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How to approach this question
What this question tests
- Ethical reasoning
- Empathy and compassion
- Communication
How to approach it
This panel question tests how you weigh honesty against kindness at the end of life, when a dying man asks for news the family disagrees about telling him. Name the people involved: your grandfather, your aunt who wants to comfort him, your uncle who has made his choice, and you. Consider the options between a flat lie and blunt truth, such as gentle honesty, focusing on who is there with him, or asking your uncle for a message or a short call. Think about what your grandfather would want to know, and whether a false promise might leave him waiting through his last days. Decide clearly, and explain how you'd talk with your aunt so the family stays united.
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