Optimal hand surgery fellowship interview format.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Medical Education
• Surgical Fellowships

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic shifted hand surgery fellowship interviews to a virtual format.
• Post-pandemic, programs are evaluating optimal interview formats, with limited applicant input.
• Applicant preferences for interview structure remain a key consideration for fellowship programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate hand surgery fellowship applicants' views on in-person versus virtual interviews.
• To determine if applicants prioritize interpersonal connections with faculty when selecting a fellowship.
• To gather applicant feedback to inform future interview strategies.

Main Methods:

• A voluntary electronic survey was administered to hand surgery fellowship interviewees at a single institution.
• Survey questions assessed various aspects of the interview day and program resources.
• Responses were collected for in-person interviews (2018-2020) and virtual interviews (2021-2022).

Main Results:

• In-person interviews were favored for understanding faculty personalities and personal/family life.
• Virtual interviews provided a better grasp of program core values and culture.
• A majority of virtual interviewees (64.4%) preferred all in-person interviews, with others favoring hybrid options.

Conclusions:

• Hand surgery fellowship applicants value in-person interactions for assessing program fit and faculty relationships.
• Virtual interviews may hinder the evaluation of interpersonal dynamics crucial for fellowship selection.
• Findings can guide fellowship programs in optimizing hybrid and in-person interview formats.