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Cassidy DJ, Clanahan JM, Wan F, Jeyarajah R, Brunt LM. The impact of virtual interviews on the Fellowship Council application and main match process. Surg Endosc 2023; 37:9601-9608. [PMID: 37749206 DOI: 10.1007/s00464-023-10424-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic led the Fellowship Council (FC) to transition rapidly from in-person to virtual interviews. We investigated the impact of this transition on the FC application and main match process. METHODS Five years (2018-2022) of deidentified FC applicant, program, and match rank data were used to assess differences between in-person (2018-2019) and virtual interview (2021-2022) cycles. Data are expressed as mean ± SD and one-way and two-way MANOVA tests were applied. RESULTS Trainees applied to an average of 30.4 ± 24.3 programs and ranked an average of 10.7 ± 9.7 programs with a 57% match rate and average rank position of 3.6 ± 3.3. Fellowship programs received an average of 64.9 ± 28.6 applications and ranked an average of 15.4 ± 8.8 applicants with a 95% match rate and average applicant rank position of 3.0 ± 3.4. Applicants who interviewed virtually applied to a greater number of programs (32.7 vs. 27.0; p < 0.001) and ranked a greater number of programs (11.5 vs. 10.0; p = 0.004) with no difference in match rates (58% vs. 55%, p = 0.291). Among matched applicants, there was a significant difference in average rank position (3.20 vs. 4.30, p < 0.001), favoring the in-person cohort. Fellowship programs had more applicants per program (69.2 vs. 57.8; p < 0.001) and ranked more applicants (17.4 vs. 13.3; p < 0.001) during the virtual interview cycles. No difference in either match rates (93% vs. 96%, p = 0.178) or applicant rank position (3.09 vs. 2.93, p = 0.561) was seen between in-person and virtual application cycles. CONCLUSION Virtual interviews were associated with an increased number of applications for fellowship and applicants ranked by programs but did not impact match rates of either group. Rank match position declined somewhat for applicants but not for fellowship programs. Virtual interviews offer more opportunities for applicants and a greater number of candidates for fellowship programs with only a slight decrement in fellow match rank position.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas J Cassidy
- Department of Surgery, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, USA.
| | - Julie M Clanahan
- Department of Surgery, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, USA
| | - Fei Wan
- Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Rohan Jeyarajah
- TCU School of Medicine and Methodist Richardson Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - L Michael Brunt
- Department of Surgery, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, USA
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Besagar S, Patel S, Vajzovic L, Scott AW, Ji X, Chen Q, Finn A. Applicant Perceptions of In-Person versus Virtual Interview Format for Surgical Retina Fellowship. JOURNAL OF ACADEMIC OPHTHALMOLOGY (2017) 2023; 15:e271-e275. [PMID: 38059192 PMCID: PMC10697792 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1777415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Purpose This article compares applicants' perceptions of and experiences with virtual and in-person interviews for surgical retina fellowship. Methods A survey was distributed via email to all applicants of three vitreoretinal surgery fellowship programs for the 2021 to 2022 and 2022 to 2023 application cycles. Main Outcome Measures Participants were surveyed regarding cost; burden of scheduling; number of applications and interviews completed; ability to gain a true feel of the program, location, and preceptor; and number of work and surgical days missed. Results Of 151 applicants contacted, 36 completed the survey (23.8% response rate). Of the respondents, 25.0% attended only virtual interviews, 19.4% attended mostly virtual interviews, 30.6% attended mostly in-person interviews, and 25.0% attended half virtual and half in-person interviews. Average expenditure was significantly lower for applicants with mostly and completely virtual interviews compared with applicants with mostly in-person and half virtual, half in-person ( p < 0.001). Applicants with mostly virtual interviews reported a lower ability to gain a true perception of the program and the program location ( p = 0.003 and p < 0.001, respectively). There was no difference in burden of scheduling, number of interviews completed, or number of work and surgical days missed. When applicants were asked what type of interview format they would prefer if they could repeat the cycle, those who interviewed mostly in-person largely chose in-person as their preference (72.7%), while participants who interviewed mostly or completely virtually were evenly split between in-person, virtual, and hybrid ( p = 0.136). Conclusion As fellowship programs and institutions decide whether they will return to in-person interviews or maintain a virtual interview format in the long term, they must weigh the lower cost of virtual interviews with the improved ability to gain a more accurate perception of the program and location allowed by in-person interviews, as well as potentially greater satisfaction with the in-person format.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonya Besagar
- Division of Retina, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Shriji Patel
- Division of Retina, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Genentech, San Francisco, California
| | - Lejla Vajzovic
- Division of Retina, Duke Eye Center, Duke University Hospital, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Adrienne W. Scott
- Division of Retina, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Xiangyu Ji
- Department of Statistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Qingxia Chen
- Department of Statistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Avni Finn
- Division of Retina, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
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Daniel M, Gottlieb M, Wooten D, Stojan J, Haas MRC, Bailey J, Evans S, Lee D, Goldberg C, Fernandez J, Jassal SK, Rudolf F, Guluma K, Lander L, Pott E, Goldhaber NH, Thammasitboon S, Uraiby H, Grafton-Clarke C, Gordon M, Pawlikowska T, Corral J, Partha I, Kolman KB, Westrick J, Dolmans D. Virtual interviewing for graduate medical education recruitment and selection: A BEME systematic review: BEME Guide No. 80. MEDICAL TEACHER 2022; 44:1313-1331. [PMID: 36369939 DOI: 10.1080/0142159x.2022.2130038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic caused graduate medical education (GME) programs to pivot to virtual interviews (VIs) for recruitment and selection. This systematic review synthesizes the rapidly expanding evidence base on VIs, providing insights into preferred formats, strengths, and weaknesses. METHODS PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, ERIC, PsycINFO, MedEdPublish, and Google Scholar were searched from 1 January 2012 to 21 February 2022. Two authors independently screened titles, abstracts, full texts, performed data extraction, and assessed risk of bias using the Medical Education Research Quality Instrument. Findings were reported according to Best Evidence in Medical Education guidance. RESULTS One hundred ten studies were included. The majority (97%) were from North America. Fourteen were conducted before COVID-19 and 96 during the pandemic. Studies involved both medical students applying to residencies (61%) and residents applying to fellowships (39%). Surgical specialties were more represented than other specialties. Applicants preferred VI days that lasted 4-6 h, with three to five individual interviews (15-20 min each), with virtual tours and opportunities to connect with current faculty and trainees. Satisfaction with VIs was high, though both applicants and programs found VIs inferior to in-person interviews for assessing 'fit.' Confidence in ranking applicants and programs was decreased. Stakeholders universally noted significant cost and time savings with VIs, as well as equity gains and reduced carbon footprint due to eliminating travel. CONCLUSIONS The use of VIs for GME recruitment and selection has accelerated rapidly. The findings of this review offer early insights that can guide future practice, policy, and research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Daniel
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | - Darcy Wooten
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | - Mary R C Haas
- University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jacob Bailey
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Sean Evans
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Daniel Lee
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Charles Goldberg
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
- VA San Diego Healthcare, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Jorge Fernandez
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Simerjot K Jassal
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
- VA San Diego Healthcare, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Frances Rudolf
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Kama Guluma
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Lina Lander
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Emily Pott
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Nicole H Goldhaber
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | - Hussain Uraiby
- University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
| | | | - Morris Gordon
- Biomedical Evidence Synthesis and Translation to Practice (BEST) Unit, School of Medicine, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK
| | - Teresa Pawlikowska
- Health Professions Education Centre (HPEC), RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, IE
| | - Janet Corral
- University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Indu Partha
- University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tuscon, AZ, USA
| | - Karyn B Kolman
- University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tuscon, AZ, USA
| | | | - Diana Dolmans
- Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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Virtual recruitment - should this be the future for dental core training? Br Dent J 2022; 233:841-844. [DOI: 10.1038/s41415-022-5210-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Lamberton T, Tung C, Kaji AH, Neville AL, Singer GA, Simms ER, Lona Y, Virgilio CD. Faculty Scoring of General Surgery Residency Interviewees: A Comparison of In-Person and Virtual Interview Formats. JOURNAL OF SURGICAL EDUCATION 2022; 79:e69-e75. [PMID: 36253330 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsurg.2022.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE With new rules regarding social distancing and non-essential travel bans, we sought to determine if faculty scoring of general surgery applicants would differ between the in-person interview (IPI) and virtual interview (VI) platforms. DESIGN A single institution, retrospective review comparing faculty evaluation scores of applicant interviewees in the 2019 and 2020 MATCH® application cycles (IPIs) and the 2021 and 2022 application cycle (VIs) was conducted. Faculty scored applicants using a 5-point Likert scale in 7 areas of assessment and assigned each student to 1 of 4 tiers (tier 1 highest). A composite score for the 7 assessments (maximum score 35) was calculated. Mean and composite scores and tiers were compared between VI and IPI cycles and adjusted for within-interviewer correlations. The variance of the 2 groups were also compared. SETTING Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, an academic, tertiary care hospital. PARTICIPANTS General Surgery applicants for the 2019 to 2022 MATCH® application cycles. RESULTS Four hundred forty-one faculty IPI ratings of General Surgery applicants were compared to 531VI ratings. No difference in mean composite scores, individual assessments, or tier ranking. Less variance was identified in the VI group for academic credentials (0.6 vs 0.6, p = 0.01), strength of letters (0.7 vs 0.4, p = 0.005), communication skills (0.4 vs 0.6, p = 0.01), personal qualities (0.2 vs 0.5, p = 0.02), overall sense of fit for program (0.6 vs 0.9, p = 0.01), and tier ranking (0.3 vs 0.4, p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS Faculty ratings of General Surgery applicants in the VI format appear to be similar to IPI. However, faculty ratings of VI applicants demonstrated less variability in scores in most assessments. This finding is potentially concerning, as it may suggest an inability of VI to detect subtle differences between applicants as comparted to IPI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa Lamberton
- Department of Surgery, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California
| | - Christine Tung
- Department of Surgery, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California
| | - Amy H Kaji
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California
| | - Angela L Neville
- Department of Surgery, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California
| | - George A Singer
- Department of Surgery, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California
| | - Eric R Simms
- Department of Surgery, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California
| | - Yazmin Lona
- Department of Surgery, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California; The Lundquist Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California
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Rajendran L, Nadler A. Virtual Interviews in Postgraduate Medical Education Recruitment: Is There a Future Post-Pandemic? J Grad Med Educ 2022; 14:377-381. [PMID: 35991109 PMCID: PMC9380622 DOI: 10.4300/jgme-d-22-00002.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Luckshi Rajendran
- Luckshi Rajendran, MD, is a Resident Physician, Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ashlie Nadler
- Ashlie Nadler, MD, MPH, MSc, is Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, and Division of General Surgery, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Zárate Rodriguez JG, Gan CY, Williams GA, Drake TO, Ciesielski T, Sanford DE, Awad MM. Applicants' perception of fit to residency programmes in the video-interview era: A large multidisciplinary survey. MEDICAL EDUCATION 2022; 56:641-650. [PMID: 35014076 DOI: 10.1111/medu.14729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION 'Fit' refers to an applicants' perceived compatibility to a residency programme. A variety of structural, identity-related and relational factors contribute to self-assessments of fit. The 2021 residency recruitment cycle in the USA was performed virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Little is known about how video-interviewing may affect residency applicants' ability to gauge fit. METHODS A multidisciplinary, anonymous survey was distributed to applicants at a large academic institution between rank order list (ROL) certification deadline and Match Day 2021. Using Likert-type scales, applicants rated factors for importance to 'fit' and their ease of assessment through video-interviewing. Applicants also self-assigned fit scores to the top-ranked programme in their ROL using Likert-type scales with pairs of anchoring statements. RESULTS Four hundred seventy-three applicants responded to the survey (25.7% response rate). The three most important factors to applicants for assessment of fit (how much the programme seemed to care, how satisfied residents seem with their programme and how well the residents get along) were also the factors with the greatest discrepancy between importance and ease of assessment through video-interviewing. Diversity-related factors were more important to female applicants compared with males and to non-White applicants compared with White applicants. Furthermore, White male applicants self-assigned higher fit scores compared with other demographic groups. CONCLUSION There is a marked discrepancy between the most important factors to applicants for fit and their ability to assess those factors virtually. Minoritised trainees self-assigned lower fit scores to their top-ranked programme, which should raise concern amongst medical educators and highlights the importance of expanding current diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in academic medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge G Zárate Rodriguez
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Connie Y Gan
- Department of Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Gregory A Williams
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Tia O Drake
- Graduate Medical Education, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Thomas Ciesielski
- Graduate Medical Education, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Dominic E Sanford
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Michael M Awad
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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Estevez TP, Casasnovas CE, Safin DS. Structuring the Future Residency Recruitment Seasons: Applicants' Perspective on the Virtual Experience during the 2020-2021 Interview Season. ACADEMIC PSYCHIATRY : THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF DIRECTORS OF PSYCHIATRIC RESIDENCY TRAINING AND THE ASSOCIATION FOR ACADEMIC PSYCHIATRY 2022; 46:140-141. [PMID: 35066805 PMCID: PMC8783766 DOI: 10.1007/s40596-021-01579-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
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Simmons RP, Ortiz J, Kisielewski M, Zaas A, Finn KM. Virtual Recruitment: Experiences and Perspectives of Internal Medicine Program Directors. Am J Med 2022; 135:258-263.e1. [PMID: 34752749 PMCID: PMC8573855 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2021.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel P Simmons
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA.
| | - Jordan Ortiz
- Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine, Alexandria, VA
| | | | - Aimee Zaas
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC
| | - Kathleen M Finn
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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