Practice Set 2: Team Working & Hierarchy Scenarios

Effective teamwork is fundamental to safe healthcare. The SJT frequently tests whether candidates understand how to work within a medical team, respect hierarchy appropriately, and — critically — know when hierarchy should be challenged. These questions account for a significant portion of the 69 SJT items you will face in 26 minutes.

UCAT SJT questions on teamwork often present tension between following instructions from a senior and doing what is right. The correct answer usually involves respectful but firm communication. You are never expected to blindly obey an instruction that could harm a patient, but you are also never expected to be rude, aggressive, or publicly confrontational.

Partial credit scoring means that even if you do not select the ideal response, choosing one that is close in appropriateness will still earn marks. For ranking questions, getting the first and last items correct is especially important. For appropriateness questions, understanding the spectrum from "very appropriate" to "very inappropriate" is key.

Remember that in healthcare teams, every member has a role and a voice. Medical students are expected to contribute observations, raise concerns through proper channels, and support colleagues — while recognising that they are not yet qualified to make independent clinical decisions.

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Quick-Reference Decision Framework

Situation	Best Response	Why
Senior gives an instruction you believe is wrong	Raise your concern respectfully and privately	Challenging constructively is professional; silent compliance risks patient harm
Team member is not pulling their weight	Address it directly but supportively first	Teamwork depends on honest communication
You disagree with a group decision	Voice your concern clearly, then accept the group outcome if overruled	A dissenting view should be heard but the team must function
A colleague is visibly struggling	Offer help and suggest they speak to a supervisor	Support before escalation
You are excluded from a team discussion	Ask to be included and explain what you can contribute	Assertiveness is not the same as aggression

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Focus for This Practice Set