Perspectives of Anesthesiology Program Leadership on Virtual Resident Recruitment

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly transformed resident recruitment. It remains uncertain whether virtual modalities were effective for assessing and recruiting anesthesiology applicants during the 2020-2021 recruitment season. This study surveyed anesthesiology residency leadership to evaluate their perceptions of pre-interview virtual offerings, virtual interviews, and social media and the utility of these modalities for recruitment purposes. Methods: A Qualtrics XM survey was developed and distributed by email to anesthesiology residency program directors in June 2021. The survey was open until July 2021. Responses were anonymized, and descriptive statistics were performed for each survey question and answer choice. Partially completed surveys were excluded from analysis. Results: Of the 152 anesthesiology program directors reached via email, 28 surveys were completed, with a response rate of 18.3%. During the 2020 recruitment season, all surveyed programs employed pre-interview virtual offerings; twenty-six (93%) offered them for the first time. Most programs utilized virtual open houses (86%) and question and answer (Q&A) sessions with residents (68%). These offerings were primarily used to provide information to applicants (96%) and facilitate resident and applicant interaction (61%). Social media was used by most programs (85%) during the 2020-2021 recruitment cycle. Twenty (67%) developed social media account(s) in 2020, mostly on Instagram (95%) and Twitter (55%). Compared to pre-pandemic interview seasons, most programs (64%) extended more interview invitations, generally citing larger applicant pools and uncertainty related to gauging applicant interest. Most respondents (74%) believed applicants would be assessed similarly regardless of interview modality if dual options for in-person and virtual interviews were available in future years. Conclusions: Anesthesiology programs overwhelmingly acknowledge the value of virtual open houses and social media engagement, even thought some appear reluctant to embrace virtual interviews permanently. This data suggests programs will continue to promote their virtual profile to recruit prospective applicants and be receptive to creative solutions in light of global health uncertainty.