Perceptions of the Virtual Interview Process: A National Survey of Rhinology Fellowship Directors

ABSTRACT

Introduction: To limit the spread of COVID-19 and keep faculty and applicants safe, many otolaryngology subspecialties conducted their fellowship interviews via a virtual format, including within the field of rhinology. Given the novel virtual format of interviews during the 2021 rhinology interview cycle, our study looked to determine how virtual interviews compared with in-person interviews from the perspective of rhinology fellowship directors. Method(s) A web-based anonymous survey was developed consisting of 15 questions. Electronic letters were sent to all fellowship directors participating in the 2021 rhinology match requesting their participation. Fourteen of the 15 questions from our survey were based on a 5-point Likert-type scale, with 1 representing strong disagree and 5 representing strongly agree;there was 1 one open-ended question. Result(s) Overall, 70% of rhinology fellowship directors responded. Fellowship directors were divided on whether they were satisfied with the virtual interview but overall felt the process was convenient (74%). Most (74%) reported that virtual interviews did not allow them to sufficiently display their program. In addition, 70% felt that the virtual interview process did not allow them to establish rapport with applicants and also to determine who would be the best fit for their program (70%). Most also reported placing more emphasis on applicants' curriculum vitae and letters of recommendation. Overall, 65% said they would not plan to offer virtual interviews in the future despite similar or better match results. Conclusion(s) While virtual interviews result in notable cost reductions and increased convenience to programs and applicants, fellowship directors were mixed in their level of satisfaction with the overall process. This was primarily related to the perceived inability to accurately reflect their program remotely and also an increased difficulty evaluating applicants via a virtual format. These limitations led to most fellowship directors not planning to offer virtual interviews in the future despite similar match results to when conducting traditional interviews.