Reimagining the Rheumatology Fellowship Interview: Using Participatory Design-Thinking Process to Create a More...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Rheumatology Fellowship Training
• Healthcare Innovation

Background:

• Design thinking is a user-centered problem-solving approach.
• Its principles of empathy and iteration are valuable for improving medical education processes.
• The virtual rheumatology fellowship interview process requires enhancement to be more applicant-focused.

Purpose of the Study:

• To apply design thinking to the virtual rheumatology fellowship interview process.
• To create a more applicant-centered interview experience.
• To identify and address challenges within the current virtual interview structure.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a 5-step design thinking framework (Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, Test).
• Conducted semistructured interviews with fellowship applicants, fellows, and faculty.
• Employed rapid qualitative analysis and iterative workshops for co-design.

Main Results:

• Identified three key interview dynamics: safety for questions, information exchange, and data integration.
• Developed four prototypes focused on customization, hybridization, facilitation, and preparation.
• Created a finalized applicant-centered interview template for the upcoming application season.

Conclusions:

• Design thinking provided critical insights into applicant experiences in virtual interviews.
• The framework facilitates the redesign of virtual interviews to be more applicant-centered.
• This approach allows for ongoing adaptation to evolving applicant and program needs.