Randomized evaluation of a web based interview process for urology resident selection

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Residency Selection
• Telemedicine in Healthcare

Background:

• Traditional on-site interviews are standard for residency selection.
• Concerns exist regarding the cost and time commitment of on-site interviews for applicants.
• Exploring alternative interview modalities is crucial for improving accessibility and efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if web-based interviews can effectively replace traditional on-site interviews for urology residency selection.
• To compare the effectiveness, cost, convenience, and satisfaction of web-based versus on-site interviews.
• To assess applicant and faculty perceptions of different interview formats.

Main Methods:

• Randomized controlled trial comparing web-based (Skype) and traditional on-site interviews for urology residency applicants.
• Participants underwent both interview types to ensure fairness.
• Anonymous surveys using a 5-point Likert scale assessed comparative effectiveness, cost, convenience, and satisfaction.

Main Results:

• Web-based interviews were significantly less costly ($171 vs $364) and required less time away from school (10% vs 30% missing days).
• Applicants perceived web-based interviews as less effective (mean score 21.3 vs 25.6).
• Both applicants and faculty favored using web-based interviews as an adjunct to on-site interviews.

Conclusions:

• Internet-based interviews are a viable option for residency selection, offering reduced costs and enhanced convenience.
• While web-based interviews improve accessibility, they are not yet a complete replacement for traditional on-site interviews.
• Videoconferencing should be integrated as a supplementary tool to traditional interview methods in residency recruitment.