Governance, safety and quality: Specialty Training Interview Questions

An audit or QI project with a result is asked in nearly every training interview, often with the difference between audit, research and QI as a follow up.

Updated 26 October 2026

How to answer

The problem, the measure, what you changed, the result and whether it lasted. Be clear about your own contribution. Know the definitions and be able to say which your project was.

Frameworks: STARR for the project

  • STAR Situation in a sentence, Task: what you had to do, Action: what you did in the first person, Result: the outcome with a number where there is one. Add Reflection for STARR. Full guide →
  1. Asked in most interviewsUsually asked by the clinical director or clinical leadSTARR

    Tell us about an audit or quality improvement project you have completed and what changed.

    The problem, the standard, the measure, what you changed, the result and whether it lasted. Be clear about your own part. Numbers make this answer; vague improvement does not.

  2. Often askedUsually asked by the consultant colleague in the specialtySTARR

    What is the difference between audit, research and quality improvement?

    Audit measures practice against a standard; research creates new knowledge; quality improvement changes a process and measures the effect. Say which yours was and when ethics approval is needed.

  3. Often askedUsually asked by the clinical director or clinical leadSTARR

    Tell us about an incident you reported and what happened as a result.

    A real report, what you reported, what came back, and whether anything changed. If nothing came back, say so and what you did. Panels want to hear that you report routinely and follow up.

  4. Often askedUsually asked by the consultant colleague in the specialtySTARR

    How would you go about improving something you noticed was not working on the ward?

    Define the problem, measure it, involve the people who do the work, test a small change, measure again, and spread it. Give one example, however small. Mention who you would need on side.

Other topics

Contribute to the bank

Recently interviewed? Tell us what you were asked. Every reported question goes into the ranking that decides which questions appear here and how often they come up in practice sessions.