Does Virtual Interviewing Provide the Information for a Satisfactory Rank Decision?: A Perspective From the Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship Interviews

Abstract

Objective: The primary aim of this study was to determine whether current fellows and program directors in pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) were satisfied with virtual interviewing (VI) in terms of their respective matches. The secondary goal was to assess areas in which the virtual interview process could be improved.

Methods: After institutional review was obtained, fellow surveys were piloted to non-PEM fellows to solicit feedback. Surveys were distributed via the PEM Survey committee from September 18, 2023, to November 13, 2023. There were 2 separate surveys: one for PEM program directors (PDs) and another for PEM fellows. The first survey targeted PEM fellows who matched in interview cycles from 2020 to 2022; it evaluated VI accuracy in representing program attributes and assessed the effectiveness of specific interview components. The second survey was for PEM PDs and explored the types of interview components employed and the evolution of the VI process. Both surveys gauged overall satisfaction with the VI process regarding their matches and preference for interview modality (VI vs in-person vs hybrid).

Results: A response rate of 25% (n = 56) from fellows and 44% (n = 40) from PDs were obtained. Three-quarters (75%) of fellows were satisfied or highly satisfied with the information obtained via the virtual interview in terms of being able to accurately assess their program. PD satisfaction trended upward from 2020 to 2022 regarding virtual interviewing. Sixty-four percent of fellows, compared to 72% of PDs believed that their in-person experience aligned well or very well with the perception they obtained via virtual interviewing.

Conclusions: Despite high satisfaction rates with the VI regarding matches and strong alignment of perception obtained via VI with in-person assessment during fellowship, both PDs and fellows continue to prefer a form of hybrid interviews. Our study provides valuable insights for guiding recommendations in future implementations of VI.