A qualitative assessment of behavioral interview method among anesthesiology residency applicants

The objective of residency recruitment is to select the most appropriate candidate. While cognitive skills are identified before an interview and can be measured objectively, non-cognitive skills can be harder to discern. These non-cognitive skills though are a good predictors of future residency performance. A structured behavioral interview is better at identifying noncognitive skills compared to a traditional interview.

Compare the noncognitive traits identified in the interviews with those identified in resident evaluations.

Using the semi-annual evaluations 6 residents were split between satisfactory group and excellent group. Behavioral-based interviews and traditional unstructured interviews conducted on the same individual were compared and the results of the interview were compared to the semi-annual and annual evaluations submitted by the teaching faculty and the program directors. The interviews were analyzed for non-cognitive skills.

Qualitative analysis of behavioral interview narratives and the narrative part of the semiannual evaluations independently identified the non-cognitive characteristics of adaptability, decisiveness, time management, judgment, and the ability to work in a team. It also identified other essential non-cognitive skills necessary for an anesthesiologist, such as ability to prioritize, study techniques, ability to destress.

The noncognitive traits found in the excellent group response to the structured interview match those found in the semi-annual evaluations. In this case individuals who are suited to the field of anesthesiology are adaptable, decisive, team-players with excellent judgment.