Virtual Residency Interviews: Optimization for Applicants

Sarac, Benjamin A.; Calamari, Kevin; Janis, Jeffrey E.

doi:10.7759/cureus.11170

Cited by 12 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 4 publications

(4 reference statements)

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“…Given the unprecedented circumstances, programs adapted to find novel mechanisms to mimic in-person interviews and provide a seamless experience for both applicants and interviewers. 4 Applicants navigated these changes while prioritizing their needs, which were to perform well during the interview, find accurate information about the program, and most importantly, determine if they were a good “fit.” This nebulous perception of “fit” has historically been the most important factor in integrated plastic surgery applicants’ ranking of programs. 5 Programs have also previously relied heavily on interview day: a 2018 survey of plastic surgery program directors showed that the three highest rated factors in programs’ ranking of applicants were interactions with faculty during the interview, interpersonal skills, and interactions with residents on interview day.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Applicant Preferences for Virtual Interviews: Insights from the 2020–21 Integrated Plastic Surgery Application Cycle

Hemal

Sarac

Boyd

et al. 2021

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open

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Background: The COVID-19 pandemic created an unprecedented residency application cycle that required the use of virtual interviews. The inaugural class of applicants participating in virtual interviews were surveyed concerning their preferences and suggestions for future application cycles. Methods: A survey was distributed to 349 individuals who applied for an integrated plastic surgery residency position at three institutions during the 2020–21 application cycle. Responses were analyzed to determine the most popular attributes of virtual interviews. Results: Response rate was 44%. Eighty-six percent of applicants valued having time to consider their interview offers before scheduling; however, nearly one-third felt the instructions provided by programs lacked clarity and did not abide by the American Council of Academic Plastic Surgeons guidelines. Eighty-two percent of applicants valued having a preinterview social, and most preferred smaller breakout rooms organized by themes. A short interview day (less than three hours) was associated with less applicant familiarity with the program, its people, and its location when compared with medium (three to seven hours) and long (more than seven hours) interview days ( P < 0.001 for all). Eighty percent of applicants preferred an interview day where they were placed into interview rooms by a program coordinator. Conclusions: The virtual interview format can be optimized in many ways to benefit both applicants and programs. The data presented in this article provide suggestions for future iterations of virtual interviews.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Applicant Preferences for Virtual Interviews: Insights from the 2020–21 Integrated Plastic Surgery Application Cycle

Hemal

Sarac

Boyd

et al. 2021

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open

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“…This has already taken place regarding the 2020–2021 plastic surgery interview season, with recommendations for virtual interviewing best practices. 25 , 26 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Negative Impact of COVID-19 on Medical Education amongst Medical Students Interested in Plastic Surgery: A Cross-sectional Survey Study

Haley

Lee

Xun

et al. 2021

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open

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Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unpreceded changes to medical education. Medical students interested in urology and neurosurgery have reported concerns regarding COVID-19’s effects on clinical experience and the residency application process; however, the impact amongst students interested in plastic surgery is unknown. We hypothesized that students applying into plastic surgery may experience much distress as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: An electronic survey was developed by 3 plastic surgery residents and 2 academic plastic surgeons and later refined by 4 fourth-year medical students. Questions focused on medical education curricular changes, perceived impact on medical education, and demographics. From April–May 2020 the survey was distributed to medical students who were interested in plastic surgery. Participants were identified through plastic surgery residency program personnel and social media platforms. Results: In total, 130 of the 140 respondents reported interest in plastic surgery careers. An estimated 67% were in their clinical years or completing research year(s) before residency applications. Of the respondents, 80% believed that the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on their medical education. Clinical-level students compared with preclinical-level students, and students applying to residency during the 2020–2021 match cycle compared with students not applying during the 2020–2021 match cycle were significantly more likely to perceive the COVID-19 pandemic as having a negative impact on their medical education ( P = 0.04 and 0.03, respectively). Conclusion: Medical students interested in plastic surgery perceive the COVID-19 pandemic as having a negative impact on their education, likely due to a reduction in clinical exposure.

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“…However, the VI procedure was considered fair by most participants in Deiorio et al (2019) . To minimize these adverse reactions and present their best version, applicants should optimize their surroundings, check their audiovisual quality, and pay close attention to the overall etiquettes ( Sarac et al, 2020 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The United States health care is dramatically impacted by the pandemic ( Patel et al, 2020 ). All on-site interviews for residency applicants were suggested to be transmitted to virtual assessments to decrease the disease outbreak ( Al Saiegh et al, 2020 ), posing different challenges for both programs and applicants ( Sarac et al, 2020 ). The same challenges can also be taken advantage of as opportunities for systemic improvements ( Hammoud et al, 2020 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychological Benefits and Challenges of Ph.D. Entrance Exam Virtual Interviews During COVID-19 Pandemic: Does Gender Play a Role?

Ebadi

Bashiri

2021

Front. Psychol.

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This study aimed to investigate the reflections of Iranian students on Ph.D. entrance exam interviews held virtually nationwide during the Pandemic. Two hundred thirty-one Ph.D. applicants were invited to fill out an anonymous online survey designed in Google Forms, 36 out of whom volunteered to participate in follow-up semi-structured interviews. Two ANOVA measures were used to investigate the possible influences of gender and prior virtual interview experience on the applicants’ perceptions. Thematic analysis was also adopted to explore the participants’ attitudes and perceptions toward virtual interviews (VI). Quantitative findings showed that Iranian Ph.D. applicants perceived VI as a flexible and helpful procedure that provided them with satisfactory interpersonal treatment. Still, they did not favor the procedure’s perceived behavioral control and ability to communicate information to perform procedural justice. Moreover, neither their gender nor their prior experience of the virtual interview was a predictor of their perspectives’ discrepancies. The thematic analysis of the qualitative data revealed that despite having some cognitive, personal, and financial benefits, VI posed some technical, communicative, and personal challenges. This study provides implications for universities and applicants who will use VI for different purposes in higher education.

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Virtual Residency Interviews: Optimization for Applicants

Cited by 12 publications

References 4 publications

Applicant Preferences for Virtual Interviews: Insights from the 2020–21 Integrated Plastic Surgery Application Cycle

Applicant Preferences for Virtual Interviews: Insights from the 2020–21 Integrated Plastic Surgery Application Cycle

The Negative Impact of COVID-19 on Medical Education amongst Medical Students Interested in Plastic Surgery: A Cross-sectional Survey Study

Psychological Benefits and Challenges of Ph.D. Entrance Exam Virtual Interviews During COVID-19 Pandemic: Does Gender Play a Role?

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