Urology Residency Applications in the COVID-19 Era

Abstract

OBJECTIVETo evaluate urology applicants' opinions about the interview process during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODSAn anonymous survey was emailed to applicants to our institution from the 2019 and 2020 urology matches prior to issuance of professional organization guidelines. The survey inquired about attitudes toward the residency interview process in the era of COVID-19 and which interview elements could be replicated virtually. Descriptive statistics were utilized. RESULTSEighty percent of urology applicants from the 2019 and 2020 matches received our survey. One hundred fifty-six people (24% of recipients) responded. Thirty-four percent preferred virtual interviews, while 41% in-person interviews at each program, and 25% regional/centralized interviews. Sixty-four percent said that interactions with residents (pre/postinterview social and informal time) were the most important interview day component and 81% said it could not be replicated virtually. Conversely, 81% believed faculty interviews could be replicated virtually. Eighty-seven percent believed that city visits could not be accomplished virtually. A plurality felt that away rotations and second-looks should be allowed (both 45%). COMMENTApplicants feel that faculty interviews can be replicated virtually, while resident interactions cannot.Steps such as a low-stakes second looks after programs submit rank lists (potentially extending this window) and small virtual encounters with residents could ease applicant concerns. CONCLUSIONApplicants have concerns about changes to the match processes. Programs can adopt virtual best practices to address these issues. UROLOGY 143: 55−61, 2020.

Reimagining Residency Selection: Part 1—A Practical Guide to Recruitment in the Post-COVID-19 Era

“…Programs can harness technology to offer BOX Ideas for Use of Digital Tools for Residency Recruitment virtual tours of facilities and surrounding areas. 34,35 A low-cost video of a walking tour, filmed on a mobile device by a current trainee, can show the location in a way that feels authentic and personal. Note that care must be taken to maintain compliance with HIPAA regulations when filming patient care areas.…”

“…Social interactions are reported to be extremely influential on an applicant's decision-making process and are difficult to replicate with an online format. 35 In addition to social experiences, immersion in a program and community through a visiting rotation is hard to recreate. Regardless of how well and creatively technology is used, it is unlikely to supplant actual in-person experiences entirely.…”

“…Regardless of how well and creatively technology is used, it is unlikely to supplant actual in-person experiences entirely. 35…”

The Evolving Impact of COVID-19 on Medical Student Orthopedic Education: Perspectives From Medical Students in Different Phases of the Curriculum

“…In a study that surveyed urology applicants from the 2019-2020 application cycle, 64% of respondents said that social opportunities with residents were the most important part of the interview day and 81% agreed that this experience could not be duplicated virtually. 11 As a result, applicants will be forced to rank programs that feel far less familiar than in previous years and may opt, to a greater extent, to favor programs to which they have personal or geographic connections.…”

Making Lemonade Together -- How Program Directors, Applicants, and Medical Schools Can Thrive During the Upcoming Interview Season

“…Applicants desire opportunities that foster organic interactions with other interviewees, residents, and faculty without the added pressure of being constantly observed (Kenigsberg et al, 2020). Observing resident camaraderie has historically been a helpful indicator of program culture which is now threatened by the virtual interview (Kenigsberg et al, 2020;Huntington, Haines and Patt, 2014). This could be resolved by offering multiple avenues for resident engagement highlighting co-resident interactions and allowing applicants to interact with multiple residents.…”