Expectations versus reality: Understanding the accuracy of impressions made during virtual interviews of pediatric pulmonary fellowship programs. Issue 1 (1st November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Atwood, Daniel T.; Chiel, Laura E.; Nelson, Benjamin A.; Casey, Alicia M.
• Is Part Of: Pediatric pulmonology. Volume 58:Issue 1(2023)
• Page Start: 306
• Page End: 314
• Publication Date: 2022-11-01
• Subjects: COVID‐19 -- education -- fellowship -- pediatric pulmonary -- virtual interview; Pediatric respiratory diseases -- Periodicals; Pediatrics -- Periodicals; 618.922
• DOI: 10.1002/ppul.26201
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 8755-6863

Abstract

Abstract: Rationale: As a result of the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic, all pediatric pulmonary fellowship programs conducted virtual interviews for the first time in the Fall of 2020. This study aimed to understand the accuracy of virtual‐interview derived‐impressions of fellowship programs, as well as applicant preference for future fellowship interview cycles. Methods: A group of pediatric pulmonary fellows and Program Directors designed a REDCap survey. The survey was distributed to all first‐year pediatric pulmonary fellows who participated in the 2020–2021 virtual interview season. Results: 23/52 (44%) of first‐year pediatric pulmonary fellows completed the survey. 96% were able to form general impressions about fellowship programs during their virtual interviews. 96% reported that generally their fellowship experience matched their virtual‐interview derived‐impressions. 17 of the 19 factors applicants use to rank programs had no statistically significant change ( p > 0.05) in impression from virtual interview to fellowship experience. The two factors with a statistically significant ( p < 0.05) change in impression were patient care related—volume of "bread and butter" pediatric pulmonary patients and volume of tertiary care pediatric pulmonary patients. 87% prefer some form of in‐person interview option in future application cycles. A tiered interview format in which applicants are first invited to a virtual interview day followed by an optional in‐person second look day was the most popular preference for future interview cycles (48%). Conclusions: Virtual interviews may provide accurate representations of pediatric pulmonary fellowship programs and applicants prefer some type of in‐person interview option in future application cycles.