Virtual Interviews in Neurosurgery Resident Selection: A Follow-up Report

BACKGROUND: The 2021 U.S. neurosurgery residency match interviews were conducted virtually; we surveyed applicants and interviewers to determine satisfaction with that virtual interview process. Subsequently, we conducted a follow-up survey to determine satisfaction with the virtual interview process after the residency match for faculty interviewers and 2022 interns. METHODS: A 22-question online faculty survey was sent to 116 U.S. neurosurgery training programs. A 26-question survey was sent to these programs for distribution to their intern classes. Data were analyzed quantitatively, including mean Likert score. Open-ended questionnaire responses were reviewed to identify themes. RESULTS: Overall, 32 interns representing 20 programs and 73 faculty representing 62 programs responded. Most respondents agreed that virtual interviews were more convenient (86% faculty, 90% interns) and cost-effective (100% interns) than in -person interviews. Faculty respondents agreed or strongly agreed that virtual interviews were effective to evaluate applicants' competence as residents (44%); fewer faculty agreed or strongly agreed that virtual interviews were an effective way to evaluate candidates' fit in the program (27%). For interns, 44% agreed or strongly agreed that virtual interviews gave them a good sense of the program faculty; 75% agreed or strongly agreed they were satisfied with the process related to where they matched. CONCLUSIONS: Virtual interviews offer an advantage in terms of time and cost but potentially at the expense of adequate faculty assessment of candidates' "fit" within a program's culture. Despite this, interns undergoing an all virtual interview process report high satisfaction with the results of the residency match.