Remote interviews for medical residency selection during the initial COVID-19 crisis: a national survey

Abstract

Background Medical training programs candidate’s interview is an integral part of the residency matching process. During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, conducting these interviews was challenging due to infection prevention restrains (social distancing, namely) and travel restrictions. E-interviews were implemented by the Saudi Commission for Healthcare Specialties (SCFHS) since the matching cycle of March 2020 to hold the interviews in a safer virtual environment while maintaining the same matching quality and standards. Aim This study was conducted to assess the medical training residency program applicants’ satisfaction, stress, and other perspectives for the (SCFHS) March 2020 Matching-cycle conducted through an urgently implemented E-interviews process. Method A cross-sectional, nationwide survey (Additional file 1) was sent to 4153 residency-nominated applicants to the (SCFHS) March 2020 cycle. Results Among the 510 candidates who responded, 62.2% applied for medical specialties, 20.2% applied for surgical specialties, and 17.6% applied for critical care and emergency specialties. Most respondents (61.2%) never had previous experience with web-based video conferences. Most respondents (80.2%) used the Zoom application to conduct the current E-interviews, whereas only 15.9% used the FaceTime application. 63.3% of the respondents preferred E-interviews over in-person interviews, and 60.6% rated their experience as very good or excellent. 75.7% of the respondents agreed that all their residency program queries were adequately addressed during the E-interviews. At the same time, 52.2% of them agreed that E-interviews allowed them to represent themselves accurately. 28.2% felt no stress at all with their E-interviews experience, while 41.2% felt little stressed and only 8.2% felt highly stressed. The factors that were independently and inversely associated with applicants’ level of stress with E-interviews experience were their ability to represent themselves during the interviews (p = 0.001), cost-savings (p < 0.001), their overall rating of the E-interviews quality (p = 0.007) and the speed of the internet connection (p < 0.006). Conclusion Videoconferencing was implemented on an urgent basis during the COVID-19 pandemic in the medical residency application process in Saudi Arabia. It was perceived as an adequate and promising tool to replace in-person interviews in the future. Applicants’ satisfaction was mainly driven by good organization, cost-saving, and their ability to present themselves. Future studies to enhance this experience are warranted.

Faculty Members’ Perspective on Virtual Interviews for Medical Residency Matching during the COVID-19 Crisis: A National Survey

“…Additionally, 73.4% felt comfortable ranking candidates based on their perceived impression, and 89.6% agreed or strongly agreed that virtual interviews were adequate for candidates to answer different questions and properly express themselves. In comparison, a recent local study that assessed applicant’s satisfaction with virtual interviews showed that only 37.3% and 14.9% agreed or strongly agreed, respectively, that the interview allowed them to accurately represent themselves, while 63.3% would prefer virtual interviews over face-to-face interviews in the future [ 27 ].…”

Faculty Members’ Perspective on Virtual Interviews for Medical Residency Matching during the COVID-19 Crisis: A National Survey

“…In contrast our study was highly encouraging from faculty point of view as 65.4% of the faculty members agreed or strongly agreed that virtual interviews allowed them to reach an impression about the applicants' personality, while (17.9%) were neutral and (16.8%) were unsatisfied, 73.4% felt comfortable to rank candidates based on the perceived impression, (89.6%) agreed or strongly agreed virtual interviews were adequate for candidates to answer different questions and properly express themselves. In comparison, a recent local study that assessed applicant's satisfaction with virtual interviews showed that only 37.3% and 14.9% agreed or strongly agreed, respectively that the interview allowed them to accurately represent themselves, while 63.3% would prefer virtual interviews over face-to-face interviews in the future [23].…”

A Match Made in Cyberspace: Applicant Perspectives on a Virtual Residency Application Process

“…Medical schools should endeavor to provide their students with all resources necessary for virtual interviews including web cameras and lights. Residency programs should [1] utilize social media platforms to reach applicants (particularly Instagram and Twitter), [2] highlight and expand upon information about location on their websites, [3] invest time in interview day programming [4] research the financial value and efficacy of virtual interviews, and [5] further evaluate the usefulness of the components of virtual interview days. Additionally, ERAS should work with specialty societies to evaluate the benefits and consequences of instituting a limit to the number of interviews that applicants may accept to lessen interview "hoarding".…”

“…However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, travel restrictions required all residency interviews during the 2020-2021 Match cycle be virtual on top of the suspension of in-person away rotations. 3,4 Until now, there has been little information published on virtual residency interviews other than cost-saving analysis. 5 Because of the virtual setting, the COVID-19 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges for applicants during the 2020-2021 residency Match cycle along with continuing to necessitate virtual interviews during the 2021-2022 application cycle.…”