Virtual interviewing in the COVID-19 era: A survey of graduate program directors.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE: Due to the coronavirus pandemic, virtual interviews became a mainstay of graduate dental and medical education selection processes. To gain a handle on how to navigate lingering uncertainties about how interviews should be conducted in the future, this study examined the benefits and pitfalls of the virtual interview process (VIP) and assessed program plans to implement in the next interview cycle. METHODS: An anonymous online survey, for completion by one program representative (director or associate director), was sent to graduate medical education (GME) and advanced dental education programs at West Virginia University (N = 74). RESULTS: Fifty-two (52) of the programs (70%) completed the survey. Zoom was the most frequently used interview platform (78.8%). Approximately two thirds (65.4%) of the interviewers thought VIP allowed the program to promote the university, the school, and their program and also reported experiencing video-conferencing fatigue. About six in 10 perceive VIP can introduce bias in selecting applicants (59.6%) and potentially disadvantage some applicants (67.3%). Compared to the previous in-person cycle, 67.4% of programs invited more applicants, and 73.1% interviewed more applicants. Regarding the 2021-2022 interview cycle, 55.8% of programs plan to offer either an in-person or VIP, while 7.7% plan to keep their process completely virtual. CONCLUSION: Graduate programs in this study demonstrated the indispensability of technology in transitioning from in-person to virtual interviews during COVID-19 pandemic. VIP has several advantages and disadvantages; this style of interview is forecasted to have a presence in applicant selection in the future.

Aortic Cannulation around Grade 5 Aortic Arch Atheroma Utilizing Transesophageal Echocardiography.

A 61-year-old male with severe aortic valve stenosis was scheduled for a minimally invasive bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) showed a unicuspid aortic valve and extensive aortic atheromatous disease. A large atheroma with mobile components existed near the distal aortic arch. A 17-French aortic cannula was successfully placed using TEE guidance with the tip proximal to the mobile atheroma to avoid inadvertent disruption and subsequent embolic sequelae. The patient had no evidence of perioperative stroke or other complications postoperatively. This case demonstrates one strategy to manage severe atheromatous disease intraoperatively. We also review additional management options.