Early Experience And Lessons Learned During Integrated Vascular Surgery Virtual Interviews For The 2020-2021 National Residency Matching Program During The Covid-19 Pandemic
Noah X. Dargy, M.D., Andrew Lee, M.D., Meghan Davis, M.D., Mike Broce, Alicia Pekar, Albeir Mousa, MD, FACS, CWA, RPVI, MPH, MBA.
Charleston Area Medical Center, Charleston, WV, USA.
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in necessary changes to many clinicians’ lives and work. Residency interviews are no different with the ACGME mandating that the interview process be virtual in 2020. There have been few reports on how these changes impacted applicants. In our institution, we have successfully created a virtual interview platform that addressed both the applicant’s and our institution’s needs. We aim to discuss the changes we made at our program as well as examine how it impacted applicants.
Methods: First, a virtual interview platform was selected. Then we sent interview invitations to the selected applicants. During the interview day we had separate rooms for individual interviews as well as a “break out” room for a question-and-answer session with current residents. Following the interviews, we compiled our rank list. We also sent surveys to the applicants to assess the virtual interview process.
Results: Our survey suggests that our implementation of virtual interviews address the multifaceted problem presented by COVID-19 and virtual interviews. Over 90% of applicants surveyed felt like they got their questions answered about our program and increased their excitement about our program. Over 80% of applicants surveyed felt like virtual interviews were a valid option going forward and only 1 student had technical difficulties. We believe that virtual interviews present a viable alternative to traditional in person interviews and especially alleviates financial burden from applicants.
Discussion: Overall, the virtual interview process was successful in its first year and remains a viable option for the future. While still in its infancy it addresses the principal functions of interviewing in addition to saving money and decreasing travel. Virtual residency interviews are still dynamically changing, and improvements undoubtable will continue to be made. Moving forward, we aim to improve the process for all involved so that the applicants may have maximum exposure to each program, and each program may get to know the applicants.
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