To Zoom or Not to Zoom: Weighing the Pros and Cons of the Virtual Plastic Surgery Residency Interview.

Abstract

In-person interviews represent a core component of the plastic surgery residency application process. Due to the coronavirus disease of 2019 pandemic, all residency programs conducted interviews virtually for the 2020/2021 application cycle. The value of the onsite interview includes the opportunity for candidates to interact face to face with faculty and current residents and gain more in-depth knowledge of the program.1 Criticisms of the in-person interview are expense (ranging from $2500 to $10,000 for applicants2) and low predictive value for residency performance.3 Virtual interviews eliminate travel expenses for applicants, while still allowing applicants to meet with faculty, current residents, and other applicants. However, these interactions may be less rich or helpful, particularly for evaluating the culture and geographic location of the program. To investigate the perceived value of the residency interview, as well as the impact of the conversion to a virtual format, a national sample of integrated plastic surgery residency 2020/2021 cycle applicants (interviewed virtually, n = 38) were surveyed and compared with current residents (postgraduate year 1 to 6, interviewed in person, n = 41). This study was approved by the institutional review board for research involving human subjects at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The vast majority of both current residents (80 percent) and applicants (89 percent) applied to 51 or more programs and attended at least 11 interviews (residents, 78 percent; applicants, 68 percent). All applicants reported spending less than $6000, with 65 percent spending less than $500. In contrast, 65 percent of residents reported spending at least $6000, including 20 percent spending more than $10,000. Eighty-eight percent of applicants missed fewer than 7 days of medical school rotations due to interviews, whereas 78 percent of residents missed at least 7 days, with 29 percent missing at least 15 days. Getting a “gut feeling” about a program, meeting the program director and/or division chair, and meeting with residents and/or assessing resident morale were ranked as the most valuable aspects of the residency interview. Due to the virtual interview format, 70 percent of applicants found it somewhat or much harder to get a “gut feeling” about programs, and 89 percent found it somewhat or much harder to meet residents and/or assess resident morale. One perceived benefit of relatively small residency applicant pools, as is seen in plastic surgery, is the formation of an enduring network or community among applicants. Eighty-three percent of current residents report still being in communication with members of their applicant class at other institutions at least once every 2 to 3 months. The transition to the virtual format potentially weakens the ability to form these relationships, as evidenced by 65 percent of current applicants reporting being somewhat or very dissatisfied by their opportunity to meet other applicants on the interview trail. Ultimately, only 16 percent of applicants preferred the virtual-only interview format, with 39 percent preferring a combination of some in-person and some virtual interviews. As another interview cycle approaches, some authors have advocated for mandating virtual-only interviews4 while others have highlighted challenges in ensuring equity among applicants in the virtual-only format.5 This study suggests that virtual interviews decreased financial and time costs, but limited applicants’ ability to learn about programs and engage with other applicants. Ultimately, a hybrid model of virtual interviews and optional in-person visits may help to maximize the benefits and minimize the costs of the residency interview. DISCLOSURE The authors have no financial interest to declare in relation to the content of this article. Rosaline Zhang, M.D., M.S.Alyssa Schappe, B.S.Neil Salyapongse, M.D.Michael Bentz, M.D.Division of Plastic SurgeryUniversity of Wisconsin School ofMedicine and Public HealthMadison, Wis.