You suspect that a parent may be fabricating or inducing illness in their child. The child has had multiple admissions with symptoms that resolve in hospital and recur on discharge. What would you do?
- RCPCH 2021 guidance distinguishes between "perplexing presentations" (less severe) and FII (more severe)
- Three mechanisms: fabrication of signs/symptoms, falsification of records/specimens, induction of illness
- Do NOT confront the parent/carer - this may increase risk to the child
- Do NOT seek parental consent before a strategy meeting
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How to approach this Paediatrics interview question
This ethics question is common in Paediatrics NHS interviews because it reveals how you think under interview pressure, not just what facts you can recall. Use "You suspect that a parent may be fabricating or inducing illness in their child. The..." as the anchor for a concise answer with a clear opening, a clinical or professional structure, and a reflective close.
What the panel is testing
A strong ethics answer makes the competing duties visible. Name the principle or legal issue, then describe the practical steps you would take in the hospital: gather facts, assess capacity where relevant, seek advice, document, and protect the patient. For paediatrics, include the child, family, safeguarding context, and senior support early. Interviewers want safe clinical reasoning and family-centred communication.
- Identify the ethical tension before jumping to a decision: capacity, consent, confidentiality, best interests, or law.
- Use local policy and senior advice, and be explicit about safeguarding or immediate patient-safety concerns.
- Balance respect for autonomy with professional duties, documentation, and clear communication.
How to structure your answer
For a ethics prompt, aim for a short opening sentence, then two or three evidence-led points, then a final reflection. If you use STAR, keep the result and reflection as strong as the situation. If it is a clinical scenario, say what you would do now, what you would do next, and how you would keep the patient safe while help is coming.
- Open by naming the main issue in the question.
- Give a structured response rather than a memorised script.
- End with escalation, documentation, learning, or follow-up.
Common mistakes to avoid
The weakest answers usually stay too vague, ignore the specific role, or miss the safety issue hidden in the question. Do not use this page to memorise a perfect paragraph. Use it to rehearse the shape of a safe answer, then adapt it to your own experience and the post you are applying for.
- RCPCH 2021 guidance distinguishes between "perplexing presentations" (less severe) and FII (more severe)
- Three mechanisms: fabrication of signs/symptoms, falsification of records/specimens, induction of illness
- Do NOT confront the parent/carer - this may increase risk to the child