General Surgery Residency Virtual Recruitment During the Pandemic: An Analysis of Applicant Surveys.
J Surg Res
; 283: 33-41, 2022 Nov 08.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2236601
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
The COVID-19 pandemic forced a sudden change from in-person to virtual interviews for the general surgery residency match. General surgery programs and applicants adopted multiple strategies to best mimic in-person recruitment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate applicant opinions of the virtual recruitment format. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
Postinterview survey responses for applicants interviewing at a single general surgery residency program in the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 cycles were evaluated. All interviewed applicants were sent an anonymous survey assessing the virtual interview structure, their impression of the program, and their opinions on recruitment in the future.RESULTS:
The response rate was 31.2% (n = 60). Most (88.4%) respondents reported a more favorable view of the program after a virtual interview. Factors that were most likely to create a favorable impression were residents (89.6%) and culture (81.0%). 50.8% of applicants favored virtual-only interviews. The majority of applicants (60.3%), however, preferred the virtual interview remain a component of the application process, 34.4% recommended that virtual interviews be used as an initial screen before in-person invites, while 19.0% suggested applicants should interview in-person or virtually without penalty. 62.1% favored capping the number of interviews offered by programs and accepted by applicants.CONCLUSIONS:
The virtual interview format for general surgery residency allows applicants to effectively evaluate a residency program. Applicants are in favor of a combination of virtual and in-person interviews in the future. Innovation in the recruitment process, including limiting the number of applications and incorporating virtual events, is supported by applicants.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
/
Observational study
Language:
English
Journal:
J Surg Res
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
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