Otolaryngology Applicant Perspectives on In-person and Virtual Residency Interviews

Objective: The objective of this study was to understand applicant perspectives on in-person and virtual otolaryngology residency interviews. Study Design: Survey study. Setting: Otolaryngology residency applicants who were interviewed during 2022-2023. Methods: Survey sent to all otolaryngology residency applicants who interviewed during the 2022-2023 interview season. Results: A total of 499 applicants were surveyed with 150 responses (30%). Approximately 48.3% of respondents were offered an in-person interview with 78.9% accepting the offer. Of those who did not accept, reasons included not wanting to travel (21.1%) and time conflicts (15.5%). When comparing virtual versus in-person interviews, those who attended virtual interviews were more likely to disagree that they connected with residents (P =.02) and that they had an improved perspective of the program (P =.002). The majority of applicants agreed that virtual interviews are more inclusive and equitable than in-person interviews (70.4%). When asked which interview style applicants would prefer, 63.1% of applicants preferred an in-person interview when compared to virtual with a second look option (29.5%) and virtual (7.4%). Respondents who self-identified as being underrepresented in medicine were less likely to choose in-person as their preferred interview format (P =.01) and were more likely to decline an in-person interview offer due to monetary limitations (P =.04). Conclusions: Applicants indicated dissatisfaction with connecting with residents and improving their perspective of the program when in a virtual setting. Applicants felt that virtual interviews were more equitable, but that if the barriers to equity were lessened then they would prefer in-person interviews.