Pediatric Otolaryngology fellowship virtual interview sentiments

Background: Interviews for Pediatric Otolaryngology fellowship rapidly transitioned to virtual interviews mid-cycle in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective: This study aims to describe perspectives on virtual versus in-person interviews for both applicants and program directors. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Surveys were conducted of all Pediatric Otolaryngology fellowship applicants participating in the San Francisco Match and program directors in 2020 and 2021. Results: Out of 32 U.S. trained fellowship applicants, 24 completed the survey in 2020 and 18 in 2021. While 70% of applicants felt they did not get the same experience with virtual interviews, 75% did not feel it changed how they ranked programs. Applicant perception of virtual interviews improved in 2021, with the majority (56%) preferring virtual interviews if provided an option. Twenty out of 36 fellowship directors completed the survey in 2020, and eighteen in 2021. While fellowship directors continued to prefer in-person in 2021, an increased number (10% in 2020, 30% in 2021) felt continuing with virtual interviews may increase the number of applicants in the future. Conclusion: Based on the survey, both applicants and fellowship directors had a less favorable perception of virtual interviews compared to in-person interviews initially; however, applicant perception favored virtual interviews in 2021, while Program Directors continued to prefer in-person.