Do Lower Costs for Applicants Come at the Expense of Program Perception? A Cross-Sectional Survey Study of Virtual Residency Interviews

• DOI: 10.4300/jgme-d-22-00332.1
• Publication Date: 2022-12-15T19:29:43Z
• Authors: Sheri Wang; Zachary Denham; Elizabeth A. Unge...; Lindsay Stollings; Julie B. McCausland; Melinda Fiedor Ha...; Alda Maria Gonzaga; Gregory M. Bump; David G. Metro; Phillip S. Adams
• Keywords: Cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Background Travel costs and application fees make in-person residency interviews expensive, compounding existing financial burdens on medical students. We hypothesized virtual (VI) would be associated with decreased for applicants compared to (IPI) but at the expense of gathering information which assess program. Objective To survey senior students postgraduate year (PGY)-1 residents regarding their burden program perception during versus interviews. Methods The authors conducted a single center, multispecialty study comparing IPI vs VI from 2020-2021. Fourth-year PGY-1 completed one-time surveys interview perception. responses between groups. Potential debt accrual was calculated 3- 7-year residencies. Results Two hundred fifty-two (of 884, 29%) were comprising 75 169 (44%) 177 715 (25%) respondents. group had significantly lower (median $1,000 [$469-$2,050 IQR] $784-$1,216 99% CI $3,200 [$1,700-$5,500 $2,404-$3,996 CI, P<.001). scored feeling process an accurate representation (3.3 [0.5] 4.1 [0.7], Assuming completely loan-funded, will have accumulated potential total loan amounts $2,334 higher than 2% interest $2,620 6% interest. These differences magnified residency. Conclusions Virtual save thousands dollars