Clickers: Enhancing the Residency Selection Process

Abstract

Background: Residency selection panels commonly use time consuming manual voting processes which are easily subjected to bias and influence of others to select successful candidates. We explored the use of an electronic audience response system (ARS) or 'clickers' in obstetrics and gynaecology resident selection; studying the voting process and examiner feedback on confidentiality and efficiency. Methods: All 10 interviewers were provided with clickers to vote for each of the 25 candidates at the end of the residency selection interview. Votes were cast using a 5-point Likert scale. The number of clickers provided to each interviewer was weighted according to the rank of the interviewer. Voting scores and time for each candidate was recorded by the ARS and interviewers completed a questionnaire evaluating their experience of using clickers for resident selection. Results: The 10 successful candidates scored a mean of 4.28 (SD 0.27, range 3.86-4.73), compared to 2.99 (SD 0.71, 1.50-3.79) for the 15 unsuccessful candidates (p<0.001). Average voting time was 26 seconds per candidate. Total voting time for all candidates was 650 seconds. All interviewers favoured the use of clickers, for its confidentiality, instantaneous results, and more discerning graduated response. Conclusion: Clickers provide a rapid and anonymous method of collating interviewer decisions following a rigorous selection process. It was well-received by interviewers and highly recommended for use by other residencies in their selection process.