Interview format: Current state and future directions.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Training
• Healthcare Administration

Background:

• Traditionally, vascular surgery graduate medical education relied on in-person applicant interviews.
• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a rapid transition to virtual interview formats.
• This shift provided new insights into the interview process's broader implications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the effects of transitioning from in-person to virtual interviews in vascular surgery training.
• To evaluate the impact of interview format on equal access, environmental factors, and administrative/financial burdens.
• To inform future modifications of the graduate medical education match process.

Main Methods:

• The study reflects on the change in interview format driven by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Analysis of the implications of virtual versus in-person interviews on applicants and programs.
• Qualitative assessment of access, environmental, and financial factors.

Main Results:

• Virtual interviews present a significant change from the decades-long standard of in-person evaluations.
• The format alteration impacts equal and fair access for applicants.
• Environmental and financial/administrative burdens for both applicants and programs are altered by the interview format.

Conclusions:

• The shift to virtual interviews in vascular surgery training offers valuable lessons.
• Future match processes require exploration to ensure equitable and efficient matching.
• Optimizing the interview format is crucial for successful applicant-program alignment.