Virtual Interviews in the Era of COVID-19

Abstract

Background: Orthopaedic surgery residency program directors (PDs) and candidates consider interviews to be central to the application process. In-person interviews are typical, but virtual interviews present a potentially appealing alternative. Candidate and PD expectations and perceptions of virtual interviews during the 2020/2021 orthopaedic surgery application cycle were assessed. Methods: Candidates and PDs were surveyed electronically. Questions covered pre–virtual-interview and post–virtual-interview expectations and perceptions, and past in-person experiences (PDs and reapplicants) on the relative importance of application components, ability to assess fit, interview costs, and preferred interview mode. Identical questions allowed between-group comparisons. Results: Responses included n = 29 PDs and n = 99 candidates. PDs reported diminished ability to assess candidate fit; social, clinical, and surgical skills; and genuine interest in the virtual context (each p ≤ 0.01). They placed greater importance on research and less on the interview in the virtual vs. in-person context (each p = 0.02). Most candidates (78%) reported fair/good ability to demonstrate potential and were better able to assess research opportunities than expected (p < 0.01). Candidates expected virtual interviews to increase the importance of research, transcripts, and recommendations (for each, p ≤ 0.02) and decrease the importance of the interview itself (p < 0.01). Compared with PDs, candidates overvalued research, United States Medical Licensing Examination scores, transcripts, and recommendations (each p ≤ 0.02) and may have slightly undervalued the virtual interview (p = 0.08). Most candidates (81%) and PDs (79%) preferred in-person interviews, despite both groups reporting monetary savings. Conclusions: Despite cost savings associated with virtual interviews, orthopaedic surgery residency PDs and candidates identified reduced abilities to assess candidate or program fit and displayed a preference for in-person interviews.

Residency Match Rates in Orthopaedic Surgery Based on Sex, Under-Represented in Medicine Status, and Degree Type

“…As medical school accreditation status was ranked the fifth most important education and academic characteristic for a program director when determining who to interview in 2021, this may suggest the increasing value going forward and possible increasing selection bias. Another plausible explanation is that recent studies have highlighted the importance of away rotations at matching into orthopaedic surgery and there being a discord in opportunities and fees among DO and MD applicants applying for residency, leading to a difference in application and match rates [30][31][32][33][34][35][36] . Further studies are needed to elucidate the etiology and nature of this selection bias.…”

Analyses of Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Interviews

“…In another survey, PDs reported less ability to determine applicant fit; clinical, social, and surgical skills; and genuine interest while greater importance was placed on research. Most candidates (81%) and PDs (79%) preferred in-person interviews, despite cost savings for both 27 . Future studies at our institution must analyze the effect of virtual interview processes.…”

AAMC Guidance on Interviewing for the 2022-2023 Residency Application Cycle

“…Although this study focuses on the benefits, limitations, and controversy surrounding virtual interviews, we believe that our findings highlight deeper systemic issues within the orthopaedic residency application process. Problems such as a rapidly rising applicant pool, overapplying to programs, and interview hoarding have worsened, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic 2,3,5 . These systemic issues, which are especially amplified in the orthopaedic application process because of its competitive nature, may not be adequately overcome by transitioning to a virtual interview format alone.…”