Virtual Interviews for Obstetrics and Gynecology Fellowships: Adapting to the Pandemic or The New Normal?

Abstract

BackgroundHistorically, fellowship interviews were in-person. However, the 2020 OB/GYN fellowship application cycle involved only virtual interviews due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of this study was to compare the amount of money and time spent by virtual applicants to the traditional, in-person applicants, and to compare interview metrics and match outcomes. MethodsThis was a 2020 survey-based study in which demographics, application cycle metrics, cost, perception of the virtual experience, and preference for the future were analyzed using t-test and Fisher’s exact tests. The survey was dispersed nationwide throughout the United States using social media, e-mail, and institutional networking. Participants included recent OB/GYN fellowship applicants, subspecialty fellows, and subspecialty faculty who participated in interviews.FindingsThere were 130 responses. The number of potential respondents is unknown because the research team employed networking and social media strategies to distribute the survey. Amongst in-person and virtual applicants, there was no significant difference in demographics. There was no significant difference in the number of programs applied to, however there were significantly more interviews granted, attended, and ranked in the virtual cohort. Virtual interviewees spent significantly less money ($624.2 vs $5226.2, p <0.01) and time (43.4 vs 113.1 hours, p <0.01) on interview execution than their in-person counterparts. There was no difference between the percentage of applicants that matched within their top three ranked programs (80% vs 65.1%, p=0.38). Discussion and Conclusion Virtual interviewing was associated with less time and financial burden without affecting the likelihood that the applicant matched at one of their top ranked programs.