Residency Interview Experiences in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Differ by Gender and Affect Residency Ranking

Resident interview experiences are crucial for applicants when ranking programs. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the interview experience among current oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) residents to determine the factors that influenced their selection and ranking of training programs and whether these experiences differed between women and men.

We conducted a cross-sectional survey of OMS residents in 2018. The 12-question survey included demographics, reasons for selecting an interview and ranking programs, and positive and negative experiences during the interviews. Logistic regression models were constructed to evaluate the predictors of unprofessional or negative experiences.

A total of 1134 surveys were emailed, with 165 completed questionnaires (14.6%) returned by 35 women (21.2%) and 130 men (78.8%). Their average age was 30.8 years (range, 25 to 42). The racial/ethnic distribution was as follows: white, 75.8%; Asian, 15.8%; and other, 8.4%. Of the 165 respondents, 52% were in MD and 48% in non-MD programs. The top factors in selecting an institution at which to interview were clinical scope and volume, and the reason for ranking a program high was resident friendliness, which was similar among the female and male respondents. Unprofessional behavior or negative experiences were reported by 62 respondents (38%) and occurred by both faculty and residents and during both interviews and social events. Demeaning behavior toward the applicant, residents, and colleagues was the most common negative experience overall, with the women experiencing more gender-specific inappropriate behavior. Female respondents and those who were in dual-degree programs were 2.4 and 2.1 times more likely to experience unprofessional conduct than their peers, respectively (P = .03).

Female and male residents were influenced by the same factors when selecting interviews and ranking residency programs. Unprofessional and inappropriate conduct was reported by 38% of the respondents. Women and dual-degree respondents were 2.4 and 2.1 times more likely to experience unprofessionalism during interviews, respectively. This might have contributed to the low number of current female OMS residents.