Perception of Candidates and Faculty on Maternal Fetal Medicine Fellowship Videoconference Interviewing [19G

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Videoconference interviewing (VCI) has been associated with efficiency, cost savings, and lack of interference with clinical responsibilities compared to traditional on-site interviews. Our objective was to evaluate the acceptability and impact of VCI for the 2018-2019 Maternal Fetal Medicine fellowship match. METHODS: Prior to interviews candidates were provided with a link to a power-point presentation and virtual campus tour. Candidates were interviewed by a panel of five interviewers and offered contact information for additional questions and to visit campus at their leisure. After interviews and prior to match results, an anonymous survey using a 5-point Likert scale was sent to candidates and interviewers consisting of 16 and 11 questions respectively and a comment section which queried acceptance and future feasibility of VCI. Questions similar to both groups were analyzed using Student t-test or Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Response rate was 78% and 87% for candidates and interviewers. Candidates were all PGY4, ten female, four male and mean age 30.3 years. Candidates found the process easy (82%) and supported the concept (82%) but identified VCI prevented “gut feelings” obtained on-site. Interviewers identified the lack of subjective details from personal interaction. As a sole interview modality, 18% and 29% of candidates and interviewers identified a negative impact to the program. Questions that were similar for candidates and interviewers showed no difference in responses. CONCLUSION: Identified benefits of VCI included cost and time savings, but the majority of candidates preferred traditional interviews. VCI may be useful as an adjunct or screening tool for traditional on-site interviews.