Everyone knows that teamwork is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Equipped with a diverse and multidisciplinary team, no problem will remain unsolved, and no dispute unsettled. Unfortunately, if this starry-eyed vision of teamwork sounds unrealistic, it’s because it is – and any MMI interviewer knows as much. The reality of the hospital is that teams are a necessity because of heavy patient workloads, and the complexity of medical cases. Often, specialists have conflicting priorities, and perhaps even conflicting opinions. But the wards are no place for a vigorous scientific debate – there are likely patient lives at stake! This means that a good clinician is one that can practice the art of compromise. Balancing the interests of different stakeholders is exactly what medical interviews aim to assess – and this emphasis is anything but arbitrary.
A strong MMI response starts with sincerity. It’s important to clearly define what teamwork means to you — and why it’s so crucial in a hospital setting.
This goes beyond broad terms like “open communication” or “encouraging different opinions.” The real question is: how do you bring these ideas to life? Are you a proactive leader who assigns roles? How do you set realistic deadlines when working in a team?
A great way to check if your ideas are practical is to reflect on your own experiences — whether that’s a university assignment, a sports team, or a job. If your approach to MMI scenarios doesn’t match what someone would realistically do in those situations, it might be time to rethink your strategy.
Empathy is also essential. Think about times when you felt overwhelmed or empowered by your team — how would you have wanted to be treated? Approaching each MMI teamwork station with that same personal investment helps you deliver answers that are thoughtful and emotionally aware.
Are you all set to answer the medical interview question about your motivation to pursue medicine? Here's a snappy article that gives you some of the best approaches to the ‘Why do you want to study medicine?’ interview question!
Teamwork is essential in healthcare — not just ideal, but necessary. There are too many patients and too many complex conditions for any one doctor to manage alone. That’s why collaboration isn’t optional in a clinical setting.
The University of Sydney, for example, partners with some of Australia's busiest hospitals. Their admissions team expects you to understand the real benefits of teamwork — so focus on practical examples, not vague ideals.
Want to know how ethics ties into this? Check out our guide on medical ethics.
If you’re applying for a medical program, show that you’d be an asset in a team. Good team members:
- Actively listen and contribute to discussions
- Are proactive, not just passive observers
- Use teamwork as a learning tool and to support the clinical staff
In your MMI, don’t just say teamwork is helpful — show how you work in a team. What’s your approach to collaboration? How do you make the most of the people around you?
Conflict resolution is a critical skill assessed in many MMI stations, especially those focusing on teamwork. If you're presented with a group-based scenario during your medical university interview, be ready for follow-up questions involving:
- Disagreements among team members
- Handling tension in a clinical or collaborative setting
- Reflecting on personal conflict experiences, as seen in past University of Melbourne interviews
A strong response should demonstrate your escalation strategy — specifically:
- When to attempt resolution independently
- When to involve a supervisor or higher authority
- How to balance initiative with respect for the chain of command
It’s tempting to escalate quickly, but in both real-life clinical work and the MMI teamwork station, that’s not always the right approach. Key points to remember:
- Escalating too soon can appear unprofessional or inefficient
- Constantly deferring responsibility undermines your autonomy
- Demonstrating sound judgment is essential in clinical practice
As a junior doctor, you’ll be expected to:
- Resolve minor conflicts without supervision
- Conserve resources — including people’s time and energy
- Show empathy by considering how your actions affect others
For instance, think about this:
How would you feel if a teammate went straight to your supervisor without speaking to you first?
Takeaway tips for handling conflict in MMI scenarios:
- Approach issues gradually — don’t jump to conclusions
- Prioritise open communication and active listening
- Extend the benefit of the doubt to teammates
- Stay calm, collaborative, and constructive under pressure
Every MMI station is crafted to evaluate whether you're ready for real-world medicine. So always ask yourself:
How would a doctor trained in empathy, professionalism, and teamwork handle this?
Remember — there's no 'I' in teamwork. Good luck!
Hope you found our article on the MMI Teamwork station useful and can develop your insights on how to be an efficient team player. Remember to present your ideas without sounding dominant and condescending when asked to resolve conflict resolution. Convey your approaches without hurting your team's sentiments. Here's another article that provides simple tips to help perfect your medical interview tone and engage in meaningful conversations during the medical interview.
Alternatively, listed below are some of our articles on various other types of MMI stations - Acting-based stations, Ethical scenarios and public health stations.
To improve your performance in the medical interview, check out our Free Resources and Tools. Or undertake one of our interview prep courses and receive one-on-one feedback for all your medical interview responses.
