Evaluation of Surgical Dexterity During the Interview Day: Another Factor for Consideration

Manual dexterity and visual spatial ability are not routinely used to evaluate candidates for surgical residency training as part of the application interview.

This study assessed the acceptability and feasibility of evaluating the manual dexterity and visual spatial ability of applicants for general surgery and otolaryngology residency, and evaluated the relationship between this information and routinely considered application factors.

During the 2012 interview season, medical students applying to our institution's general surgery and otolaryngology residency programs underwent a battery of tests relevant to surgical dexterity. Five tests shown to be related to the surgeons' dexterity or visual spatial skills were administered during the course of their in-person interview day. The results from these tests were compared with data collected as part of the current application process.

A total of 64 students were enrolled, and 58 had data that could be analyzed. Regression analysis using the enter method was performed for each of the tests, and for the composite scores. None of the values were significant as defined by P≤.05. Neither the scatterplots of the data nor Pearson r showed a correlation between the highest performers on the surgical dexterity composite score and individuals' highest scores on the dimensions used in the current process to assess applicants.

The addition of 1 or more evaluations of visual spatial skills and psychomotor aptitude can be done during a standard interview day, is acceptable to applicants, and may provide information that is different from the usual components of the application.