A VIRTUAL MOCK INTERVIEW PROGRAM IMPROVES THE CONFIDENCE AND PREPAREDNESS FOR APPLICANTS TO FELLOWSHIP IN CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

ABSTRACT

Background: In 2020, the American College of Cardiology Fellows-in-Training (FIT) Section Leadership Council piloted a virtual mock interview (MI) initiative in response to the transition to cardiovascular disease (CVD) fellowship virtual recruitment during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic. The impact of the expanded MI initiative in 2021 was evaluated. Methods: Through ACC outreach, applicants voluntarily enrolled to participate in virtual 30-minute MI followed by a feedback session conducted by volunteer FIT. Pre- and post-MI surveys utilizing Likert scales were analyzed with paired Wilcoxon rank sum tests. Results: A total of 100 FIT interviewed 159 applicants (34% female, mean age 30 years). Applicants were of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds (45% Asian, 28% White, 7% Black, 4% Hispanic, 7% multi-ethnic). 26% cited no cardiology-specific mentorship from their institution or outside institutions, and 65% had no prior experience with a virtual interview format. 129 applicants completed both preand post-MI surveys. Compared to pre-MI, applicants’ confidence, preparation, and comfort with a virtual platform improved significantly (p<0.001 for all, Figure). More than 85% of applicants agreed that FIT feedback during the MI helped identify strengths and weaknesses and enhanced their interview skills. Conclusion: The ACC FIT MI initiative improved confidence and subjective virtual interview skills in a diverse cohort of applicants to CVD fellowship. [Formula presented]