Multiple mini-interview for undergraduate allied health programs in Singapore

Abstract

Aims: To investigate the acceptability and feasibility of a four-station multiple mini-interview (MMI) model for admission selection into the four allied health undergraduate programs in Singapore. Methods: From 2015 to 2017, applicants to the four allied health undergraduate programs (physical therapy, occupational therapy, diagnostic radiography, and radiation therapy) at a university in Singapore underwent a four-station MMI. In 2017, interviewers of the MMI were polled using a 7-point Likert scale survey. Descriptive statistics were performed to analyze the quantitative portion of the survey, while content analysis and thematic description were applied to the qualitative data. Results: Data was collected from 79 interviewers. The majority agreed that the MMI was a fair process for applicants (83.5%), a good way of assessing interest and potential to become healthcare professionals (78.5%), and tested more aspects of the applicants than the traditional interviews (72%). They concluded that the MMI format was structured, objective, rigorous, unbiased, and assessed a valid range of competencies (67%). Conclusion: This study assessed and established the acceptability and feasibility of the MMI for undergraduate admissions to the allied health programs in Singapore.