Virtual Interviews in Neurosurgery Resident Selection: A Follow-up Report

The 2021 U.S. neurosurgery residency match interviews were conducted virtually; we surveyed applicants and interviewers to determine satisfaction with that virtual interview process. Subsequently, we conducted a follow-up survey to determine satisfaction with the virtual interview process after the residency match for faculty interviewers and 2022 interns.

A 22-question online faculty survey was sent to 116 U.S. neurosurgery training programs. A 26-question survey was sent to these programs for distribution to their intern classes. Data were analyzed quantitatively, including mean Likert score. Open-ended questionnaire responses were reviewed to identify themes.

Overall, 32 interns representing 20 programs and 73 faculty representing 62 programs responded. Most respondents agreed that virtual interviews were more convenient (86% faculty, 90% interns) and cost-effective (100% interns) than in-person interviews. Faculty respondents agreed or strongly agreed that virtual interviews were effective to evaluate applicants' competence as residents (44%); fewer faculty agreed or strongly agreed that virtual interviews were an effective way to evaluate candidates' fit in the program (27%). For interns, 44% agreed or strongly agreed that virtual interviews gave them a good sense of the program faculty; 75% agreed or strongly agreed they were satisfied with the process related to where they matched.

Virtual interviews offer an advantage in terms of time and cost but potentially at the expense of adequate faculty assessment of candidates' "fit" within a program's culture. Despite this, interns undergoing an all-virtual interview process report high satisfaction with the results of the residency match.