Perceived effectiveness of video interviews for orthopaedic surgery residency during COVID-19

Abstract

Background During the 2020–21 residency interview season, interviews were conducted through virtual platforms due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study is to assess the general perceptions of applicants, residents and attendings at a single, large, metropolitan orthopaedic residency with regards to the video interview process before and after the interview season. Methods Surveys were sent to all orthopaedic applicants, residents, and attendings before the interview season. Applicants who received interviews and responded to the first survey (46) and faculty who responded to the first survey (28) were sent a second survey after interviews to assess how their perceptions of video interviews changed. Results Initially, 50% of applicants (360/722) and 50% of faculty and residents (28/56) responded before interview season. After interviews, 55% of interviewees (25/46) and 64% of faculty and residents (18/28) responded. Before interviews, 91% of applicants stated they would prefer in-person interviews and 71% were worried that video interviews would prevent them from finding the best program fit. Before interviews, 100% of faculty and residents stated they would rather conduct in-person interviews and 86% felt that residencies would be less likely to find applicants who best fit the program. Comparing responses before and after interviews, 16% fewer applicants (p = 0.01) perceived that in-person interviews provide a better sense of a residency program and faculty and residents’ perceived ability to build rapport with interviewees improved in 11% of respondents (p = 0.01). However, in-person interviews were still heavily favored by interviewees (84%) and faculty and residents (88%) after the interview season. Conclusions In-person interviews for Orthopaedic Surgery Residency are perceived as superior and are preferred among the overwhelming majority of applicants, residents, and interviewers. Nevertheless, perceptions toward video interviews improved in certain domains after interview season, identifying potential areas of improvement and alternative interview options for future applicants.

Orthopaedic Surgery Training and Education During COVID-19

“…Three additional studies, 2 that focused on fellowship applicants, also found that virtual interviews were more cost-effective for applicants 26-28 . That said, 2 studies found that most applicants preferred in-person interviews to virtual ones 19,29 . However, regarding fellowship interviews, a study of pediatric orthopaedic fellowship applicants found that 67% did not feel that the virtual interview format negatively affected the process, and nearly half (48.5%) preferred to keep fellowship interviews virtual in the future 24 .…”

“…Program directors (PDs) placed more weight on communication from faculty mentors, emails from applicants, home applicant status, and virtual information session attendance 31 , whereas less importance was given to virtual away rotations and virtual interviews 30 , 32 . PDs and faculty generally preferred in-person interviews 19 , 26 , 29 , given the perceived inability to assess candidate fit, social, interpersonal, clinical, and surgical skills; commitment; and genuine interest through the virtual format 25 , 26 . However, some programs continued to place significant weight on faculty and resident interviews, although they were virtual 19 .…”

“…Some programs have created scholarships for underrepresented minority students to offset their away rotation cost, which is not widespread. Despite recognizing the interpersonal and social benefits of in-person interviews 19 , 26 , 29 , both applicants and interviewers acknowledge the importance of retaining the option for virtual interviews because of financial reasons and wish to have the flexibility to conduct virtual interviews 24 , 28 , 33 . The benefits of virtual interviews may be most pronounced for fellowship applicants, given clinical responsibilities and financial limitations 24 .…”

“…Three additional studies, 2 that focused on fellowship applicants, also found that virtual interviews were more cost-effective for applicants [26][27][28] . That said, 2 studies found that most applicants preferred in-person interviews to virtual ones 19,29 . However, regarding fellowship interviews, a 24 .…”

The use of virtual interviews in orthopaedic residency programs and how it affects applicants

“…Both of these sentiments have been echoed in other articles, with both applicants and program directors reporting diminished ability to adequately assess applicant quality and program compatibility, respectively, following virtual interviews compared to in-person interviews. 3,4 Applying to orthopaedic surgery residencies requires diligent work in the face of increasingly fierce competition, complicated by the everchanging nuances in the application process. It is prudent to consider recent trends in the application process discussed in this article when deciding which residency programs to apply to to optimize one's chances of matching into this highly regarded specialty.…”