Otolaryngology Applicant Perspectives on In-person and Virtual Residency Interviews

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Residency Admissions
• Applicant Experience

Background:

• The shift towards virtual interviews in medical residency applications presents new challenges and opportunities.
• Understanding applicant perspectives is crucial for optimizing the otolaryngology residency interview process.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate otolaryngology (ENT) residency applicant preferences and experiences with both in-person and virtual interview formats.
• To identify factors influencing applicant choices between virtual and in-person interviews.

Main Methods:

• A survey study was conducted among otolaryngology residency applicants interviewed during the 2022-2023 season.
• 150 out of 499 surveyed applicants (30% response rate) provided feedback on their interview experiences and preferences.

Main Results:

• Virtual interviews were associated with lower applicant agreement on resident connection (P=.02) and improved program perspective (P=.002).
• Despite perceived inclusivity (70.4%), 63.1% of applicants preferred in-person interviews, with virtual and hybrid options less favored.
• Underrepresented minority applicants were less likely to prefer in-person interviews (P=.01) and more likely to decline due to cost (P=.04).

Conclusions:

• Applicants reported dissatisfaction with virtual interviews regarding program connection and perspective.
• While virtual interviews are viewed as more equitable, a preference for in-person interviews persists if equity barriers are reduced.