Lincoln Medical School Medicine Interview

Why have you applied to Lincoln rather than a larger, more established medical school?

Reference Lincoln's own new MBChB, the rural placement model and the focus on smaller-cohort teaching. Avoid implying Lincoln is your "backup".

What attracts you to studying medicine in Lincolnshire specifically?

Discuss the breadth of presentations in district general hospitals, the chance to build long-term relationships with patients in smaller communities and the opportunity to see GP-led care.

Tell me about a time you communicated effectively with someone from a very different background to you.

Use a concrete example. Lincolnshire serves a diverse rural and coastal population — show you can flex your communication style.

A patient in a remote Lincolnshire village refuses to travel to Lincoln County Hospital for a scan they urgently need. How do you approach this?

Explore the reasons (transport, anxiety, caring responsibilities), respect autonomy, and discuss practical NHS solutions like patient transport or community diagnostics.

Should rural patients receive more NHS funding per head than urban patients?

Engage with both sides — economies of scale vs equity of access. Reference real challenges in coastal Lincolnshire (workforce, ageing population).

You are a peer mentor. A first-year student tells you they are struggling with the move to Lincoln and feel isolated. (Actor present.)

Listen actively, normalise their feelings, signpost concrete support (personal tutor, wellbeing service) and offer to follow up.

Here is a graph showing GP appointment availability across rural and urban England. What does it suggest, and what limitations does it have?

Describe trends first, then interpret. Acknowledge confounders — population age, deprivation, GP-to-patient ratios.

Describe a time when you worked with a small, close-knit team. What did you learn?

Lincoln cohorts are small. Show you can both lead and follow in tight teams.

How do you think being part of a newer medical school will shape your training?

Acknowledge both the upsides (small cohort, fresh curriculum, supportive faculty) and the realities (smaller alumni network, evolving teaching).

A junior doctor in a rural hospital realises they are the most senior person on the ward overnight. They are unsure about a clinical decision. What should they do?

Patient safety first — escalate via on-call consultant, never act outside competence. Discuss how rural rotas amplify this pressure.

Why is early community placement valuable for medical students?

Reference longitudinal patient contact, exposure to chronic-disease management, and understanding the wider determinants of health.

You need to explain to an elderly patient that the GP practice is moving 15 miles away. The patient does not drive. (Actor present.)

Acknowledge the impact, listen to specific concerns, signpost practical alternatives (community transport, telephone consultations, district nurse).

What concerns you most about practising medicine in a rural setting?

Honesty plus mitigation — workforce shortages, professional isolation, breadth of presentation. Show you have thought about it.

Tell us about a recent NHS news story that interested you.

Pick something current and specific. Briefly summarise, then give your view with reasoning.