Direct Comparison of In-Person Versus Virtual Interviews for Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship in the COVID-19 Era

Abstract

Background. In the era of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), many Complex General Surgical Oncology (CGSO) fellowship programs implemented virtual interviews (VI) during the 2020 interview season. At our institution, we had the unique opportunity to conduct an inperson interview (IPI) prior to the pandemic-related travel restrictions, and a VI after the restrictions were in place. Objective. The goal of this study was to understand how the VI model compares with the traditional IPI approach. Methods. Online surveys were distributed to both groups, collecting feedback on their interview experience. Responses were evaluated using a two-sample t test assuming equal variances. Results. Twenty-three of 26 (88%) applicants completed the survey. Most applicants reported that the interview gave them a satisfactory understanding of the CGSO fellowship (100% IPI, 92% VI) and the majority in both groups felt that the interview experience allowed them to accurately represent themselves (92% and 82%, respectively). All participants in the IPI group felt they were able to get an adequate understanding of the culture of the program, while only 64% in the VI group agreed with that statement (p = 0.02). IPI applicants were more likely to

From Beginning to End: A Single Radiology Residency Program's Experience with Web-Based Resident Recruitment during COVID-19 and a Review of the Literature

“…An overview of all these prior studies combined highlights that surgical training programs, in particular, disproportionately favor in-person interviews (23,25,29,30,32,34). When looking carefully at their results, though, the majority of the subjective data show that web-based virtual interviews are effective for the majority of applicants in allowing them to learn about the educational environment and the culture (Table 2), see comments).…”

Virtual Versus In-Person Surgical Fellowship Interviews and Ranking Variability: the COVID-19 Experience

“…Despite the lack of differences in variabilities in virtual interviews compared to-in person interviews, prior studies showed that most candidates consider the in-person interview experience to be better than virtual interview experience, and in-person interview candidates felt better acquainted with the faculty and current trainees compared to virtual interview candidates. [13] Furthermore, in-person interview candidates were also more likely to agree that the interview experience was su cient to allow them to make a ranking decision, [14] while many virtual interview candidates felt that they did not get an adequate understanding of the program. [15] In summary, in our clinical glaucoma fellowship program, a change from one-to-one interview resulted in less candidate ranking variabilities between interviewers paired in the rooms, which may decrease the candidates' opportunities to represent themselves satisfactorily.…”

Video-Based Interviewing in Medicine: A Scoping Review

“…Of these, 6 were adjuncts 19 -24 to the face-to-face interview while 12 were replacements. 25 -36 Studies used Skype 19,21,24,25,26,27,28,30 Facetime 19 , Zoom 31,32,34,35,36 or a combination of two platforms. 22,23,29 Eleven studies provided additional information outside the virtual interview itself including a video tour of the facility, video tour of the surrounding communities, Google hangout session with current residents, electronic brochures, and resident contact information to ask additional questions if interested.…”