Otolaryngology Applicant Perspectives on In‐person and Virtual Residency Interviews

Abstract

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to understand applicant perspectives on in‐person and virtual otolaryngology residency interviews.Study DesignSurvey study.SettingOtolaryngology residency applicants who were interviewed during 2022‐2023.MethodsSurvey sent to all otolaryngology residency applicants who interviewed during the 2022‐2023 interview season.ResultsA total of 499 applicants were surveyed with 150 responses (30%). Approximately 48.3% of respondents were offered an in‐person interview with 78.9% accepting the offer. Of those who did not accept, reasons included not wanting to travel (21.1%) and time conflicts (15.5%). When comparing virtual versus in‐person interviews, those who attended virtual interviews were more likely to disagree that they connected with residents (P = .02) and that they had an improved perspective of the program (P = .002). The majority of applicants agreed that virtual interviews are more inclusive and equitable than in‐person interviews (70.4%). When asked which interview style applicants would prefer, 63.1% of applicants preferred an in‐person interview when compared to virtual with a second look option (29.5%) and virtual (7.4%). Respondents who self‐identified as being underrepresented in medicine were less likely to choose in‐person as their preferred interview format (P = .01) and were more likely to decline an in‐person interview offer due to monetary limitations (P = .04).ConclusionsApplicants indicated dissatisfaction with connecting with residents and improving their perspective of the program when in a virtual setting. Applicants felt that virtual interviews were more equitable, but that if the barriers to equity were lessened then they would prefer in‐person interviews.