How to face PSC UPSC Homeopathy Medical Officer Research Officer Interview- Expected questions

How to face PSC UPSC Homeopathy Medical Officer Research Officer Interview

Dr Mansoor Ali K R
Professor, Govt. Homoeopathy Medical College Calicut

Attending a PSC/UPSC interview is an honour by itself. It means that you have fared better than hundreds of other candidates in the exam.

“The interview for the personality test will be intended to serve as a supplement to the written examination for testing the general knowledge and ability of candidates in the fields of their academic study and also in the nature of a personality test to assess the candidate’s intellectual curiosity, critical powers of assimilation, the balance of judgment, and alertness of mind, the ability for social cohesion, the integrity of character, initiative, and capability for leadership.” UPSC dictum

“Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion you must set yourself on fire”

Hi friends we are on the last lap of the race –stage of the interview. Facing the interview is one of the biggest hurdles in the road to success. Unless and until you have a proper strategy you can’t come off with flying colors in the interview. Face the interview with cautious optimism. As the saying goes Self-confidence is the first requisite to great undertakings.

Department of Homoeopathy Kerala
A brief idea about the various projects and structure of the Department of Homoeopathy – Like Seethalayam, Janani, Sadgamaya, Ayushmanbhava, Chethana, RAECH, Punarjani, Floating dispensaries, Temporary dispensaries, Mobile clinics and the total number of dispensaries. Brief idea about the structure of the Department of Homoeopathy, HEART (Homoeopathic Evidence-based Advanced Research and Training), HPIRRS (Homeopathic Post Incident Response & Rehabilitation System), NABH criteria, NABH accredited Ayush Wellness Centers etc.
Website : http://homoeopathy.kerala.gov.in

Remember
Remember that there is no magic formula for success in an interview. Good preparation, judicious application of common sense, and self-confidence are the key factors that will help us in an interview.

The interview is not an abominable cross-examination but it is more like a personality assessment. The board consists of 3 members including UPSC representative, subject experts, and representative of the department of homeopathy. The interview generally lasts for 10-20 minutes. Be present at the venue of the interview in time.

Dress up neatly and decently appropriate to the occasion.
Ensure that you are carrying call letter, certificates, and other documents as demanded by UPSC. Keep all your certificates in the folder in the proper order (First matriculation then +2 like that so that if the board asks you to show a particular certificate you can show it with no panic.).

If you have any published work or any thesis work carry a copy of that with you. (Remember you may get few questions about your thesis so read it before the interview and make a thorough idea on the topic). Report at the reception and after verifying your certificates from there you will be taken to the waiting room. You will be given a biodata form fill it carefully. From there, officials will be verifying your documents. Later you will be taken to the interview hall when your turn comes.

We should be at the interview venue at least half-an-hour before the scheduled time. A candidate who is not punctual even for his job interview paints a hopeless picture of himself. If the venue is in an unfamiliar place, do reach there the previous day and get to know the route/local railway station/bus number or other relevant information.

Making a Great First Impression!
It takes just a quick glance, maybe three seconds, for someone to evaluate you when you meet for the first time. In this short time, the other person forms an opinion about you based on your appearance, your body language, your demeanour, your mannerisms, and how you are dressed.

This first impression can be nearly impossible to reverse or undo, making those first encounters extremely important, for they set the tone for all the relationships that follow. You will never get a second chance for the first impression.

Do’s and Dont’s
A) Enter the hall only after your name is called and Enter the hall with a beaming face after taking permission from the interview board
B) Wish the board with a charming smile. If interview board members contain both male and female members wish as “Good morning madams and Sirs”
C) Take your seat only after the board ask you to do so. Express thanks and sit comfortably.
D) Never keep your folders on the table unless and until the board asks you to do so.
E) Never go for arguments with the board
F) If you don’t know the answer tell sorry I don’t know sir.
G) Listen carefully to the questions and if any question is not clear tell politely to repeat the question.
H) Keep eye contact with all board members while answering even though one member asked the question.
I) If the board complement you for an answer express thanks.
J) Be honest and never try to bluff the board
K) Read that day’s newspaper and look at any relevant news regarding the health sector is there.
L) Once the interview is finished leave the hall after expressing thanks to the board.

Dress Code
A casual or indifferent style is not desirable. As we enter the interview room, the members should feel that we are taking the test seriously.

Dazzling costumes, large checks, and gaudy colours, in general, should be avoided. Imagine for a moment what impression a candidate who wears dark goggles and a dark dress would create. Conventional dressing in light color shirts and dark trousers is fine.

Wearing a tie or a suit should not be your first experience in life since you will feel uncomfortable in such a situation. If you are not used to such a costume, never hesitate to practice before wearing it to the interview. Comb your hair well. Button your shirt properly. Shave your face in the morning, unless you sport a regular beard.

Women should avoid very tight clothing, plunging necklines or other revealing clothes, heavy ornaments, and strong perfumes. If you are wearing salwar-kameez, do take care to secure the dupatta with pins. Long hair should be secured well.

A pleasant look and a pleasing smile will certainly help to make a good first impression. The neatness of the body and dress is important. Fingernails should be trimmed and free from dirt.

Expected questions

1. Tell Me About Yourself.
2. Why Do You Want This Job?
3. Why Should We appoint You?
4. What is Your Greatest Strength?
5. What is Your Greatest Weakness?
6. Describe a Difficult clinical Situation and How You Handled It.
7. What Are Your Goals for The Future?
8. How you will manage the patient if you are not well versed in Hindi?
9. How would you handle emergency cases?
10. What would you do when you are unable to diagnose the cause for an ailment? Would you still treat the patient?
11. A patient with acute illness has come to meet you on one hand and on another hand, a politician and two doctors have come to meet you. Whom will you prioritize and why?
12. What is your greatest accomplishment?
13. Explain how you would be an asset to this profession?

Expected Questions for a research Officer interview

1. Why do you want this research officer job?
2. What are the strength and weaknesses of Homoeopathic research?
3. What challenges are you looking for in this research officer position?
4. Why should we hire you for the research officer position?
5. What has been your role so far in developing research ideas and carrying them forward?
6. What are your most important publications/ dissertation/STSH
7. What papers do you have coming through in the next year?
8. What are the big issues in the homeopathic research area?
9. How you would like to fill the gap in existing research?
10. Do you have any questions to ask us?
11. What is mean by translational research?
12. What will be your major focus as an independent researcher?
13. What has been your role so far in developing research ideas and carrying them forward during your UG or PG studies?
14. Explain briefly about various concluded and ongoing research activities of CCRH?
15. Explain your dissertation topics in PG?
16. Questions from research activities and their significance in different centers of CCRH across India
17. Can you tell me about clinical research that recently caught your attention?
18. Tell me your suggestions on improving the research activities among the new-gen doctors and students.

FAQs
There are some frequently asked questions (faqs) in every interview. The first few questions will Be based on your biodata. The interview begins like a friendly chat. You should expect questions about Your name,(e.g. a candidate house name is Anjana should expect a question about the mythological character Anjana who is the mother of god Hanuman. A candidate whose name is Vijay should know that Vijay is synonym of Arjun and also about well-known football player I.M.Vijayan) educational background, institution you studied (e.g., a student who passed out from JSPS college Hyderabad should know that JSPS stand for Jaysoorya and Pottysreeramalu and who were they) previous job (if any), present job and basic details (population, health-related Statistics ) about your home state and all.

You should be prepared to answer any questions about your present Job and why are you looking for a new job. If you are a postgraduate, they will ask the question ‘Why you are opting for this, it is better to opt education department?”  You can expect questions regarding epidemics prevailing at present like dengue, chikungunya fever etc. You should have a very clear understanding of these diseases and what you can offer as a homeopath in managing it.

General Knowledge
There could be questions of general nature even in interviews for technical jobs. The objective of asking such questions is not the assessment of the candidate’s precise knowledge in these areas, but confirmation of his intellectual curiosity and interest in what happens around him, which is an indicator of his total personality. You can expect few questions based on the bio data you had submitted at the time of certificate verification.

Gordian knot.
Generally, in all interviews, some difficult questions will be asked. Face the question with confidence and try to answer if you don’t know the answer admit it. Even if you were not able to answer a question don’t be disheartened and lose confidence. Try to prepare some rare question also.

Listen before answering
Do not cut a conversation in the middle to answer or express your views. Although you might seem confident at that point, listening more will elevate your points during the evaluation

SUBJECT Questions
After the first few minutes, you can expect questions from the subject .Generally, if you are practising homoeopath they may ask about the cases that you see in your clinic and how you manage it.

Maximum questions are asked from clinical subjects. Read thoroughly medicine, gynaecology, surgery, materia medica and Organon.

Must thorough with Allen’s Keynotes, Basic Organon and detailed questions on homeopathic pharmacy – like dose , potency, prescription, GMP certificate, details about HOMCO Alappuzha, qualitative assessment and genuinety of homeopathic medicine etc. also expected.

From community Medicine also you can expect some questions.- especially about health indicators like IMR,MMR, human development index, human poverty index, Millennium goals etc and various national health programmes.

Give importance to the Infection and Laboratory investigation sections in Practice of Medicine.

To put it straight the board can ask anything from anatomy to medicine. But questions are asked usually from clinical subjects.

You must have a brief idea about AYUSH, NRHM,ASHA,CCH,CCRH, RBSK,NHM, Healthy mother & Happy child programmes. Various Five year plans. Details about recently allotted dispensaries in your state.

Structure of Local self-government such as Panchayati raj, Zilla Panchayat, Gram panchayat

Structure of Department of Homeopathy and Homeopathy Education and History of Homeopathy in your state & India. Name of the director of Homeopathy, controlling Officer of Homeopathy, Principals name, name of planning commission chairman in your state and Centre.

Role of a Medical Officer at Dispensary & Hospital, dealings with local self Government and various health programmes by the local self Government

Expect questions on the management of common ailments that a Medical Officer usually encountering at a dispensary – both Homeopathic and General management.

Forensic Medicine – Ethics in Medical Practice, legal procedures

Method of tapering allopathic medicine. Management of diseases in patients using allopathic medicines.

A brief idea about the various records to be kept by a Medical Officer or Registered Medical Practitioner or a clinic or a hospital and the rules and regulations to be observed by them.

We are giving some clues to prepare for an interview. You prepare a list of faqs and prepare answers for that participating in mock interviews to perfect your skills also will be of advantage.

Visit : http://www.qpmpa.org for the details about various records kept by a Medical Officer or Registered Medical Practitioner or a clinic or a hospital and the rules and regulations to be observed by them.

ESI
You have to expect questions related to ESI act also

THE FACTORIES ACT – 1948
Minimum space 500 cu.ft
Hrs of work – total shall not exceed 60/wk incl OT, 9/d, ½ hr rest after 5hr work.

ESI ACT,1948 –
PROVIDES CERTAIN CASH AND MEDICAL BENEFITS to the industrial employees in case of sickness, maternity, and employment injury.
ESI Corporation is an autonomous body entrusted
Chairman – Labour minister, V.C –secretary labour ministry.
Chairman medical benefit council – Director general of health services.

ESI [amtmt] act of 1975 extended to
Small power using fact c 10-19 empl, non-power above 20 empl, Shops, Hotels & restaurants, Cinema, Road motor transport, News paper est.

Contribution
Employer – 4.75,  Employee – 1.75, Govt state – 1/8 of total cost of med care, ESI corporation 7/8 of total med care
Sickness benefit – max period of 91 days in any continuous period of365 days daily rate of 50% of average daily wages.

Extended sickness benefits – is payable for 309 days for the following[34 diseases]
Tb, leprosy, chronic empyema, AIDS, psychosis, aplastic anemia, immature cataract [vision 6/60 or less affected eye], DM, parkinson’s d, >20% burn, CRF, Raynauds etc.
Maternity – full wage
Confinement -12wks, mis carriage – 6wks, sickness arising after confinement – 30days.

Questions on Research in Homoeopathy
Must visit CCRH Website: http://ccrhindia.org/index.asp and collect basic information, parameters etc. on research in homoeopathy.

Study Clinical Establishments Act in detail
The Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010 has been enacted by the Central Government to provide for registration and regulation of all clinical establishments in the country with a view to prescribing the minimum standards of facilities and services provided by them.
Website : http://clinicalestablishments.nic.in/cms/Home.aspx

Also read
History of Homoeopathy in Kerala
https://www.homeobook.com/history-of-homeopathy-in-kerala/ 

History of Homoeopathy in India
https://www.homeobook.com/homoeopathy-in-india/ 

Common Questions and Answer
https://www.slideshare.net/funjom123/top-10-medical-officer-interview-questions-and-answers

The most common teacher interview questions in PSC and UPSC
https://www.homeobook.com/the-most-common-teacher-interview-questions-in-psc-and-upsc/

Please visit this page later…for more updates

Best wishes 

Updated on 13.08.2024