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Questions to practise
How do you decide which patients to see first on a busy ward?
Hospital days are busy. They want to see that you can plan your time and put patient needs first.
Say how you check your list at the start of the day. Talk about urgent needs, for example a patient going home soon. Say you talk with the nurses about changes. Give one short example of a busy day.
A new patient comes in with back pain. How do you assess them?
They want a real, step-by-step method, not a general answer.
Use words like 'first', 'then' and 'after that'. Say you listen to their story first. Then you ask when it hurts and about daily life. Then you check movement and strength. Finish by saying you plan treatment after this.
Tell me about a patient who did not want to do their exercises. What did you do?
Patients often find exercises hard. They want to know how you keep them going.
Tell one real case. Say why the patient did not want to do them. Then say what you did yourself, for example explaining each exercise or setting small goals together. Say what happened next.
How do you help a patient who is in a lot of pain?
They want to see kindness and a practical way to support patients through pain.
Say you listen and take the pain seriously. Talk about checking how they feel during each session and changing the exercise when needed. Mention telling the nurses or doctors about the pain. If you have no real case, say what you would do.
How do you help plan a patient's move home from hospital?
Physiotherapists often help decide when a patient is ready to go home safely.
Say how you check what the patient can do, for example walking or stairs. Talk about sharing this with the team. Mention giving clear home exercises. Give one example of a patient you helped prepare to go home.
How do you work with nurses and doctors?
In a hospital, the team must agree on one plan for each patient.
Say how you share information, for example notes, short talks or team meetings. Explain how you agree on one plan together. Give one example where good teamwork helped a patient.
What do you do if the team does not agree on a patient's plan?
They want to see that you stay calm, listen and find a shared way forward.
Say you listen to each view first. Then you explain your reasons clearly and politely. Focus on what is best for the patient. Say how you reached one agreed plan in the end.
Tell me about a patient case that did not go as planned. What did you learn?
They want to see that you think about your work and keep getting better.
Use three parts: what happened, what you did, and what you do differently now. Use 'I' sentences, not only 'we'. For example: 'A patient stopped coming, so now I call after the first session.'
Tell me about a time you had to make a quick decision about a patient's care.
They want to see that you can think clearly and act safely under pressure.
Say what happened in one or two sentences. Then say exactly what you did yourself, for example 'I stopped the session' or 'I called the nurse'. Finish with the result and why you chose that action.
How do you keep learning in your work?
They want to see that you keep your skills up to date.
Talk about asking colleagues for feedback, reading, or training. Give one thing you changed in your work after learning something new, and say how it helped your patients.
First I listen to the patient's story. Then I check how they move.
Clara
AI coach
Leo
AI coach
Lines to try
First I listen to the patient's story. Then I check how they move.
Let me think of a good patient example.
I set small goals with the patient, so they can see progress.
I talk with the nurses and doctors, so we agree on one plan.
After that case, I changed how I explain the exercises.
Could you repeat the question, please? I want to answer it well.
Common questions
What if I do not have a real case for a question?
That is okay. Say it honestly, for example: 'I have not had that exact case, but this is what I would do.' Then give clear steps. A calm, honest answer with a clear plan is better than a story that is not true.
How long should my answers be?
Aim for about one to two minutes. Start with the main point, then give one example, then finish with what you learned or what happened. If more detail is needed, the interviewer may ask a follow-up question.
What if I need time to think?
You can pause. Use a short phrase like 'Let me think of a good patient example.' Take a breath, then answer. A short pause is fine. It can help you give a clearer answer.