The Virtual Interview Experience: Perspectives of Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellowship Applicants

• DOI: 10.34197/ats-scholar.2021-0076oc
• Publication Date: 2022-01-06T22:57:12Z
• Authors: J. Shirine Allam; Kristin M. Burkart; Başak Çoruh; May Lee; Laura Hinkle; Maryl Kreider; Geneva Tatem; Chad Witt; Rendell W. Ashton; Tristan Huie; Bart Moulton; Elizabeth Awerbuch; Gabriel T. Bosslet
• Keywords: Virtual; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; 4. Education; Interview; Education; Original Research; 3. Good health

Because of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, graduate medical education programs adopted virtual interviews (VIs) as default modality for 2020 recruitment season. It is unknown whether VIs allowed applicants to effectively evaluate programs, and best interview format future unclear.To 1) assess pulmonary critical care applicants' perceived ability using VIs, 2) determine attitudes toward components 3) identify preferences fellowship format.After National Residency Matching Program subspecialty match, an electronic survey was sent 1,067 medicine asking them compare their VI experience with residency in-person (IPI) experience.Three hundred six (29%) responded survey, 289 completed it (27%). There were 117 (40%) women 146 (51%) White individuals. Most respondents believed that hindered programs' culture, faculty-fellow relationships, location, facilities, own fit within program. They they able clinical experience, curriculum, potential academic development equally well compared IPIs. The most helpful elements program director, meetings fellows, faculty members. Less included conference access, prerecorded director presentations, hospital city tours, video testimonials. One twenty-three (43%) chose optional visit preferred format, 85 IPIs, 54 (19%) wanted a choice between 27 (9%) only.Most include both option or interview. This study can assist in designing formats trainee-centric fashion.