ST3 Obstetrics and Gynaecology Interview Guide 2024
Obs and Gynae ST3 25th September 2023

ST3 Obstetrics and Gynaecology Interview Guide 2024

With a limited number of posts available, competition for ST3 Obstetrics and Gynaecology is fierce! Therefore, knowing what to expect from the interview, and preparing well, is vital. To make things easier, this guide provides you with the key information you’ll need, including the interview timeline, interview format and interview panel and scoring.

ST3 Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G) Interview Timeline

The following is an overview of the ST3 Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G) recruitment process timeline:

Before applying:

  • Ensure that you meet the relevant eligibility criteria
  • Register on Oriel
  • Familiarise yourself with the information provided about the process and the programme

Applying:

  • Complete and submit your application on Oriel before the deadline, including the self-scoring self-assessment domain questions, which are used for shortlisting (see below).
  • Your application will be checked to ensure that you’re eligible to apply (longlisted).
  • If you pass the longlisting, you’ll be required to upload evidence to support your self-assessment questions (completed as part of your application). This will be used to verify your self-scores. Your verified score will then be used for the purpose of shortlisting.
  • You’ll be required to complete your preferencing – i.e. preference all programmes in which you will be willing to accept a post.

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Interviews and offers:

  • If you’re shortlisted, you’ll be invited to attend an interview which takes place online in April 2024.
  • You’ll be ranked based on a combination of your verified self-assessment score and interview performance. Offers are made in rank order until all posts are filled.

Maximise your performance at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology ST3 interview by preparing effectively and efficiently with our Interview Question Bank.

Find out more →

The NHS Health Education England (HEE) provide the following key dates in relation to the recruitment process for posts commencing in August 2024:

Stage Key dates
Vacancies published 15 November 2023
Application window opens 16 November 2023 at 10am
Application window closes  7 December 2023 at 4pm
Longlisting 8 January 2024 by 4pm
Self-assessment evidence upload window opens 11 January 2024 at 10am
Self-assessment evidence upload window closes 25 January 2024 at 10am
Self-assessment evidence verification 20 February 2024 by 12pm (midday)
Self-assessment appeal window opens 20 February 2024 at 2pm
Self-assessment appeal window closes 23 February 2024 at 2pm
Shortlisting 8 March 2024 by 4pm
Invitations to interview 11 March 2024 by 4pm
Preferences open on Oriel 21 March 2024 at 2pm
Interview dates 11, 15 and 16 April 2024
Preferences close on Oriel 17 April 2024 at 10am
Initial offers released 18 April 2024 by 5pm
Hold deadline 23 April 2024 at 1pm
Upgrade deadline 24 April 2024 at 4pm

* Note all times given are UK time.

ST3 O&G Interview Format

For the purpose of shortlisting applicants for interview, self-assessment questions are included in the application. Verified self-assessment scores are used to rank applicants, and interviews are offered in rank order up to the available interview capacity. You can find further details of the self-assessment domains and guidance for completing them on the Health Education England website.

If shortlisted, you’ll be invited to attend a 40-minute online interview, which consists of the following two elements:

  • Clinical prioritisation
  • Structured interview

The interview will assess your skills and competences against the ‘essential’ and ‘desirable’ sections of the person specification.

The interview timings are as follows:

Area Timing
Applicant waiting room Log in at your interview time (given on Oriel). The Panel Administrator will perform an ID check and camera room sweep. They will also process you through each stage to your respective interview station rooms.
Introduction 1 minute
Clinical Prioritisation reading time 5 minutes
Interview station 1: Clinical Prioritisation 15 minutes
 Waiting time  5 minutes
Interview station 2: Structured Interview Questions 15 minutes

The total interview time is 40 minutes.

Clinical Prioritisation

The Clinical Prioritisation section of the ST3 O&G interview requires you to prioritise and explain a management plan for four patients.

In our O&G ST3 Interview Question Bank, we have broken down the Clinical Prioritisation questions into Obstetrics, and Gynaecology, and included detailed explanations. The best way to prepare for this is simply to practise. Use different scenarios, different topics across O&G and pay attention to feedback or explanations which can provide insight into areas you can improve.

You can see an example of a gynaecology clinical prioritisation question from our question bank below:

Obstetrics-and-Gynaecology-ST3-Question-1

You’ll have five minutes to read through the prioritisation scenario and prepare. The time will go fast! Make sure you use the preparation time effectively so you can provide well structured, thought-out management plans and a justification for your prioritisation.

Structured Interview

The Structured Interview section of the ST3 O&G interview consists of questions which cover the following four areas:

Targets and Management

Think questions relating to leadership and appraisal, as well as topics such as the Maternity Dashboard and Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts (CNST).

Communication

Prepare for topics such as breaking bad news, communicating with women in labour and antenatal counselling.

Challenges and overcoming challenges

Having an understanding of the challenges facing O&G is essential. For example, the challenges of O&G training, the workforce and the pressures of out of programme vacancies.

QIP, research and teaching

Be prepared to discuss Quality Improvement Projects (QIP), the difference between audit and research, and the role of teaching and why it’s important.

The following is an example from our question bank of a ‘challenges’ questions from the structured interview section:

Obstetrics-and-Gynaecology-ST3-Question-2

As with the Clinical Prioritisation section, completing practice questions and learning from the feedback / explanations provided is the best way to prepare effectively for the ST3 Structured Interview. Check out our ST3 O&G question bank for a wide range of questions to ensure that you’re as prepared as possible for all aspects of the interview.

ST3 O&G Interview Panel

The interview panel will consist of four assessors; two per interview station. The applicants’ guide highlights that you can expect the interviewers to ‘probe and challenge’ your answers if they require more information. Don’t let this put you off, it’s designed to ensure you have a fair opportunity to answer the questions fully, so see it as an opportunity to score some extra points that you’ve missed.

ST3 O&G Interview Scoring

Each assessor on the interview panel will score you independently. The applicants’ guide states that all panel members are trained and briefed on the interview process and the importance of maintaining consistent scoring parameters. Additionally, all scoring is reviewed by the interview panel, a lay chair and the recruitment lead, to address any significant discrepancies between the interviewers’ scores.

Your interview score will be combined with your weighted verified self-assessment score to determine your ranking. Offers are then made in rank order until all posts are filled. With ST3 O&G the number of posts is limited and significantly lower than the number of applicants they receive. This makes the ST3 O&G interview highly competitive. However, it is not impossible, if you’re determined to secure a position, dedicate time to preparing effectively with plenty of practice questions. We recommend you use a question bank which offers a broad range of topics and high quality explanations to help you to improve. This was our aim when creating our question bank, to ensure that applicants had high quality resources, to enable them to succeed. You can find out more about our ST3 O&G question bank and what it offers here.

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