Gather: An Innovative Tool for Residency Pre-Interview Events

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: General surgery residency interviews have been conducted virtually for the past two years to accommodate social distancing restrictions. The financial benefits of interviewing from home have motivated calls for a permanent move towards virtual interviews. However, the pre-interview meet-and-greet—the best opportunity for applicants to interact with residents in a low pressure environment—has been notoriously difficult to recreate in this format. Here, we present our experience using the novel digital platform Gather. METHODS: Gather is a video communication platform in which each user controls an avatar that can move within a virtual space. The platform creates a group chat limited to individuals who are near each other within the virtual space, facilitating small group conversations within a larger group. This better reapproximates the small group mingling that occurs within a traditional pre-interview event. We custom designed a virtual environment simulating the bar at which our meet-and-greet was held pre pandemic, and designated resident chaperones to help users adjust to this new format. Applicant and resident attitudes were measured using post-event surveys. RESULTS: Overall qualitative feedback from applicants and current residents was positive. The format was more enjoyable and interactive than traditional Zoom breakout rooms and more closely captured the ethos of an in-person meet-and-greet event. Applicants were able to adjust to the format and navigate the map without difficulty. Quantitative evaluation via applicant-based surveys is pending. CONCLUSION: The Gather platform represents a novel opportunity to improve pre-interview events. This and similar innovative technologies may significantly improve the virtual interview process.