Physician Assistant/Associate School Interviews: Here, There, or Elsewhere?

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Physician Assistant Studies
• Health Professions Education

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of virtual interviews in physician assistant (PA) admissions.
• Applicant preferences and the impact of interview modality on outcomes remain understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate associations between applicant characteristics and interview format choice (in-person vs. virtual).
• To determine if interview type influences admission outcomes and academic performance.

Main Methods:

• A multicenter retrospective study of 405 applicants to 3 PA programs.
• Data included demographics, academic metrics, and interview outcomes from the 2023-2024 cycle.
• Bivariable and logistic regression analyses explored associations between interview type, admission, matriculation, and GPA.

Main Results:

• Virtual interviewees were older, more likely male, lived farther from campus, had more experience, and were more likely to be underrepresented in medicine (URiM).
• Matriculants who interviewed virtually reported more economic/environmental disadvantage.
• In-person interviews were associated with higher admission and matriculation rates; interview type did not affect first-semester GPA.

Conclusions:

• Virtual interviews can enhance access and diversity in PA admissions without negatively impacting academic outcomes.
• URiM applicants and those facing geographic or economic barriers are more inclined to select virtual interviews.
• Continued offering of virtual interviews is recommended to reduce barriers in PA program admissions.