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Henschen BL, Ratcliffe TA, Alexandraki I, Harris L, Weinstein AR. Comparing Perceptions of Virtual and In-Person Interviews: Results From a National Survey of Internal Medicine Residents. J Grad Med Educ 2024; 16:296-302. [PMID: 38882416 PMCID: PMC11173020 DOI: 10.4300/jgme-d-23-00805.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Since 2020, virtual interviews have become the typical way in which applicants assess residency programs. It is unknown whether the change from in-person to virtual interviews has been associated with changes in perceptions of the quality of information gathered by prospective applicants. Objective To ascertain perspectives on the satisfaction with, quality of, and accuracy of information gathered by internal medicine (IM) residency applicants from virtual and in-person interviews. Methods Twenty-nine thousand, seven hundred and seventy-six residents from US and Puerto Rico residency programs sitting for the 2022 American College of Physicians Internal Medicine In-Training Examination (IM-ITE) were surveyed. An optional, 5-question survey was administered at the end of the examination. Responses were analyzed based on interview format-virtual (postgraduate year [PGY]-1-2) or in-person (PGY-3)-and PGY. Results Of 29 776, 23 161 residents responded to the survey (77.8% response rate). Regardless of PGY, respondents reported a high degree of satisfaction with the quality of information gathered from their interview day, though there was a statistically significant difference between virtual and in-person [somewhat/very satisfied: In-person 5938 of 7410 (80.1%); 95% CI [79.2, 81.0] vs virtual 12 070 of 15 751 (76.6%); 95% CI [76.0, 77.3]:P<.001]. Residents in all PGYs reported sessions with residents and one-on-one interviews as the most important factors when creating their rank lists. Conclusions We found differences in satisfaction and perceptions of the quality of information gathered between IM residents who participated in virtual and in-person interviews. However, regardless of format, most respondents reported satisfaction with their interview experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce L Henschen
- is Associate Professor, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Temple A Ratcliffe
- is Associate Professor, The Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine at UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Irene Alexandraki
- is Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Linda Harris
- is Research Associate, Research and CME Compliance, American College of Physicians, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; and
| | - Amy R Weinstein
- is Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Gala K, Tome J, Simonetto DA. Applicant-Fellow Virtual Sessions in Recruitment for Gastroenterology Fellowship. Dig Dis Sci 2024; 69:1110-1117. [PMID: 38282184 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-023-08263-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, virtual interviews have become a norm for gastroenterology (GI) fellowship recruitment. Most interviews hold a session for applicant and current fellow interaction. There is wide variability of the sessions across programs. There are a paucity of data on the influence of these sessions on applicants' ranking of programs. AIMS We aim to describe applicants' experiences and perceptions of virtual happy hours (i.e., applicant-fellow sessions) during the GI fellowship application process. METHODS We surveyed applicants participating in the 2022 GI fellowship match cycle to understand their experience with virtual fellow-only happy hours. Mixed methods analyses were performed. RESULTS The survey was completed by 68 (13.91%) applicants, of which, 75% reported that at least half of the interviews they attended had conducted a virtual, fellow-only happy hour. Most respondents preferred that the virtual happy hours should be conducted prior to the interview day (58%) and that breakout rooms with a smaller ratio of applicants to fellows are helpful (78%). The majority (87%) of respondents reported attending these sessions at least 75% of the time. Nearly half (44%) of respondents reported that these sessions influenced/altered their ranking decisions with respect to programs. CONCLUSION Given the advantages associated with virtual interviews and their ongoing support by professional societies, the virtual platform is likely here to stay in future. Virtual fellow-only happy hours help provide a representation of the program's mission and when successfully implemented, can be leveraged to optimize recruitment and attract qualified, diverse candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khushboo Gala
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - June Tome
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Douglas A Simonetto
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
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Mullen SA, Akhter HM, Weis LE, Samson KK, Hon HH. Independent Plastic Surgery Match Regional Trends Comparing In-person and Virtual Interview Cycles. PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY-GLOBAL OPEN 2024; 12:e5691. [PMID: 38528845 PMCID: PMC10962897 DOI: 10.1097/gox.0000000000005691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Background There is a trend toward matching in a different region than previous training for the independent plastic surgery match cycles from 2019 to 2021, which differs from the trend to match within the same region for integrated plastic surgery programs. Notably, residency interviews transitioned from in-person to virtual in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Therefore, we compared in-person versus virtual interview match trends from 2019 to 2023. Methods Zip codes and regions of each successfully matched plastic surgery applicant's medical school, residency, and plastic surgery program were gathered from publicly available data for the 2019 and 2020 in-person interview cycles and 2021, 2022, and 2023 virtual interview cycles. Results Although regions did not differ significantly in the proportions of positions each year (P = 0.85), there was a trend toward fewer positions in each region from 2019 to 2022. Overall, applicants were more likely to match in a different region as their medical school or residency during virtual compared with in-person interviews (P = 0.002 and P = 0.04). Applicants matched to programs further from their medical school zip code in virtual interview years (P = 0.02). There was no significant difference in distance between surgical residencies and plastic surgery residencies between the two time periods (P = 0.51). Conclusions Trends toward matching into a different region than prior training after the switch to virtual interviews could be attributed to applicant accessibility to interview broadly. However, this could also be due to the decreased number of independent residency positions over the years, requiring applicants to move regions and travel further from where they began their training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A. Mullen
- From University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Medicine, Omaha, Neb
| | - Haris M. Akhter
- From University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Medicine, Omaha, Neb
| | - Lauren E. Weis
- From University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Medicine, Omaha, Neb
| | - Kaeli K. Samson
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Neb
| | - Heidi H. Hon
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Neb
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Hampshire K, Huang L, Shirley H, Kahkejian V, Yates E, Weiser SD, Rosenbach M, Liang K, Teherani A. The mitigated carbon emissions of transitioning to virtual medical school and residency interviews: A survey-based study. MEDICAL EDUCATION 2024; 58:216-224. [PMID: 37551919 DOI: 10.1111/medu.15186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Prior to COVID, thousands of medical school and residency applicants traversed their countries for in-person interviews each year. However, data on the greenhouse gas emissions from in-person interviews is limited. This study estimated greenhouse gas emissions associated with in-person medical school and residency interviews and explored applicant interview structure preferences. METHODS From March to June 2022, we developed and distributed a nine-question, website-based survey to collect information on applicant virtual interview schedule, demographics and preference for future interview format. We calculated theoretical emissions for all interviews requiring air travel and performed a content analysis of interview preference explanations. RESULTS We received responses from 258 first-year and 253 fourth-year medical students at 26 allopathic US medical schools who interviewed virtually in 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, respectively. Residency applicants participating in the study were interviewed at a mean of 15.3 programs (SD 5.4) and had mean theoretical emissions of 4.31 tons CO2 eq. Medical school applicants participating in the study were interviewed at a mean of 6.9 programs and had mean theoretical emissions of 2.19 tons CO2 eq. Ninety percent of medical school applicants and 91% of residency applicants participating in the study expressed a preference for hybrid or virtual interviews going forward. CONCLUSION In-person medical training interviews have significant greenhouse gas emissions. Virtual and hybrid alternatives have a high degree of acceptability among applicants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karly Hampshire
- New York Presbyterian Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Lawrence Huang
- Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Hugh Shirley
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Valerie Kahkejian
- University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Elizabeth Yates
- Brigham and Women's Hospital Department of General Surgery, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sheri D Weiser
- University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California, USA
- University of California Center for Climate, Health and Equity, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Misha Rosenbach
- Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kevin Liang
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Arianne Teherani
- University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California, USA
- University of California Center for Climate, Health and Equity, San Francisco, California, USA
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De May H, Marquez JL, Scott K, Pires G, Crombie C. The Association Between Interview Day and Rank Order in Plastic Surgery Match: Is Recency Effect to Blame? JOURNAL OF SURGICAL EDUCATION 2023; 80:1172-1178. [PMID: 37301643 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsurg.2023.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Plastic and reconstructive surgery is among the most competitive specialties in the National Resident Matching Program match. Though efforts to institute unbiased and equitable measures of an applicant's success have been made, many barriers still hinder suitable applicants from successfully matching. We sought to identify whether interview day influenced applicants' likelihood of being ranked favorably in both independent and integrated plastic surgery residency programs at a single academic institution. METHODS Data from 10 years of independent plastic surgery applicants and 8 years of integrated plastic surgery applicants were queried. Data regarding whether applicants were interviewed on day 1, day 2, or during subinternships (integrated cohort only) and what number they were on the programs rank list were included in the analysis. RESULTS A total of 226 independent applicants 237 integrated applicants were identified. For integrated applicants, those who interviewed on day 1 were weighted toward worse rank scores. Applicants who interviewed during their subinternship had a bimodal distribution either ranking favorably or poorly. Integrated applicants who interviewed on the second day were more likely to be ranked in the first quartile. For those who interviewed on day 1, the odds of being ranked in the last quartile was 2.34 times higher than those who interviewed on day 2 (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrating that interview day may influence an applicant's final rank in the MATCH. Further study is needed to determine if this effect is can be observed in other academic plastic surgery programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henning De May
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah.
| | - Jessica L Marquez
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Kaylee Scott
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Giovanna Pires
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Courtney Crombie
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah
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Fijany AJ, Zago I, Olsson SE, Troia T, Givechian KB, Boctor MJ, Pekarev M. Recent Trends and Future Directions for the Integrated Plastic Surgery Match. PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY-GLOBAL OPEN 2023; 11:e5053. [PMID: 37342307 PMCID: PMC10278693 DOI: 10.1097/gox.0000000000005053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
The integrated plastic surgery residency match has risen to be the most competitive specialty in the 2022 match. This reality has prompted medical students to reach a high level of personal achievements, including pursuing research fellowships to boost research productivity. The competitive nature of this specialty has highlighted several barriers for applicants, such as those from groups underrepresented in surgery, of lower socioeconomic backgrounds, or without a home program. In recent years, there have been several changes to the match that stand to attenuate disparities among applicants, such as the transition to virtual interviews and the shift of the United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 score to pass-fail. The introduction of the Plastic Surgery Common Application and standardized letters of recommendation has altered the application process for the plastic surgery match. Given these recent trends, evaluating the current landscape and looking toward future directions for the integrated plastic surgery match becomes necessary. Understanding these changes will not only benefit medical students by giving them a transparent look into the match process but also provide a framework for other specialties to follow to increase accessibility to their specific specialty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arman J. Fijany
- From the Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Tex
| | - Ilana Zago
- From the Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Tex
| | - Sofia E. Olsson
- From the Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Tex
| | - Thomas Troia
- From the Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Tex
| | | | | | - Maxim Pekarev
- From the Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Tex
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Perspectives of Virtual Residency Interviews in Plastic Surgery: Results following 1 Year of Training. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open 2023; 11:e4746. [PMID: 36699219 PMCID: PMC9833452 DOI: 10.1097/gox.0000000000004746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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