Virtual obstetrics and gynecology fellowship interviews during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic: a survey study

Abstract

Background Due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, all Obstetrics and Gynecology fellowship interviews were held virtually for the 2020 fellowship match cycle. The aim of this study was to describe our initial experience with virtual Obstetrics and Gynecology fellowship interviews and evaluate its effectiveness in assessing candidates. Methods This was a cross-sectional survey study that included all interviewing attending physicians and fellows from five Obstetrics and Gynecology subspecialties at a single academic institution following the 2020–2021 fellowship interview season. The survey consisted of 19 questions aimed to evaluate each subspecialty’s virtual interview process, including its feasibility and performance in evaluating applicants. The primary outcome was the subjective utility of virtual interviews. Secondary outcomes included a comparison of responses from fellows and attending physicians. Results Thirty-six attendings and fellows completed the survey (36/53, 68% response rate). Interviewers felt applicants were able to convey themselves adequately during the virtual interview (92%) and the majority (70%) agreed that virtual interviews should be offered in future years. Attending physicians were more likely than fellows to state that the virtual interview process adequately assessed the candidates (Likert Scale Mean: 4.4 vs. 3.8, respectively, p = 0.02). Respondents highlighted decreased cost, time saved, and increased flexibility as benefits to the virtual interview process. Conclusion The use of virtual interviews provides a favorable method for conducting fellowship interviews and should be considered for use in future application cycles. Most respondents were satisfied with the virtual interview process and found they were an effective tool for evaluating applicants.

Effectiveness of Virtual Residency Interviews: Interviewer Perspectives

“…Few studies have identified specific advantages and barriers to the virtual interview format. 7,8,14,16,20,21,34 Our findings identified cost savings and time efficiency as significant advantages,in line with other studies. Novel to our study, carbon footprint savings was the secondmost selected advantage.…”

Virtual Interviews for Obstetrics and Gynecology Fellowships: Adapting to the Pandemic or The New Normal?

“…This perspective has been both refuted and supported in the literature. 11,13,14 However, studies have consistently found a preference for incorporating virtual interviews in future processes, with or without a pandemic 11,13,[15][16][17] The answer moving forward could be utilizing both virtual and in-person tactics in a hybrid form, which the majority of our surveyed applicants supported. The hybrid options would allow the applicant to apply broadly and interview at a multitude of programs, allowing preservation of nancial resources and professional time off for programs an applicant is strongly considering.…”

Evaluation of Virtual Vitreoretinal Surgery Fellowship Interview and Match Experience

“…Studies in other subspecialties have concluded that virtual interviews for fellowship programs should be offered in the future, 13,14,18 although some suggest that virtual interviews should be offered in combination with in-person interviews. [14][15][16] Interestingly, a previous study found that a half of interviewers would negatively view fellowship applicants who chose to interview virtually if an in-person interview were offered.…”