On Screen or On Site? Hybrid Interviews for Flexibility Without Added Bias

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Residency Matching
• Interview Bias

Background:

• Post-COVID-19, residency interviews adopted a hybrid format, with virtual, in-person, or choice options.
• Concerns about potential bias introduced by hybrid interview formats persist.
• Understanding the impact of interview format on residency match outcomes is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if hybrid interview formats influence residency program rank list position.
• To assess the effect of interview format on an applicant's chance of matching.
• To explore how residency programs structure their hybrid interview processes.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 1,170 interviews across six programs for the 2023 and 2024 Match.
• Descriptive and bivariate analyses of rank list data and interview formats.
• Controlled for subinternship participation and analyzed program director survey responses.

Main Results:

• In-person interviewees were initially ranked higher and had higher match rates.
• After controlling for subinternship participation, interview format did not significantly affect rank position.
• In-person interviewees maintained higher match rates even after controlling for subinternships.

Conclusions:

• In a hybrid interview system, format did not influence rank lists when controlling for subinternships.
• In-person interviews were associated with a higher likelihood of matching.
• Programs utilized standardized rubrics and consistent processes to mitigate bias across interview formats.