Dermatology faculty and residents' perspectives on the dermatology residency application process: A nationwide survey

Abstract Background: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, structured medical training is challenging because the necessary travel for on-site interviews could increase the spread of the disease.Aim: This study was conducted to describe an urgently implemented, web-based interview process for selecting medical residents for the National Residency Matching in Saudi Arabia.Method: A cross-sectional, nationwide survey (appendix 1) was sent to 4,153 residency-nominated applicants in Saudi Arabia to the matching interview for 2020.Results: Among the 510 candidates who responded, 62.2% applied for medical specialties, 20.2% applied for surgical specialties, and 17.6% applied for critical care and emergency specialties. Most respondents (61.2%) never had video conferences. Besides, most respondents (80.2%) had used Zoom to conduct E-interviews, whereas only 15.9% used FaceTime. Among the respondents, 75.7% agreed that their questions regarding the residency programs were adequately answered during the virtual interviews. The top perceived factors that enhanced the experience were the free application, the clarification emails they received from the organizers, and the organizers’ effective communication. Conversely, what negatively impacted the interviews were the slow and interrupted Internet, the absence of clear instructions, and the lack of previous experience with teleconferencing.Conclusion: Videoconferencing was successfully implemented on an urgent basis during the COVID-19 pandemic in the medical residency application process in Saudi Arabia. The residency applicants preferred video interviews, along with the cost savings and easier logistics to conduct the interviews from various locations. Future studies to enhance this experience are warranted.

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Remote interviews for medical residency selection during the initial COVID-19 crisis: a national survey

BMC Medical Education ◽

10.1186/s12909-021-02890-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mohamad-Hani Temsah ◽

Fadiah Alkhattabi ◽

Fadi Aljamaan ◽

Khalid Alhasan ◽

Adi Alherbish ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Residency Program ◽

Medical Training ◽

Cost Savings ◽

Nationwide Survey ◽

Medical Residency ◽

Application Process ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Medical Specialties ◽

Promising Tool ◽

Residency Application

Abstract Background Medical training programs candidate’s interview is an integral part of the residency matching process. During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, conducting these interviews was challenging due to infection prevention restrains (social distancing, namely) and travel restrictions. E-interviews were implemented by the Saudi Commission for Healthcare Specialties (SCFHS) since the matching cycle of March 2020 to hold the interviews in a safer virtual environment while maintaining the same matching quality and standards. Aim This study was conducted to assess the medical training residency program applicants’ satisfaction, stress, and other perspectives for the (SCFHS) March 2020 Matching-cycle conducted through an urgently implemented E-interviews process. Method A cross-sectional, nationwide survey (Additional file 1) was sent to 4153 residency-nominated applicants to the (SCFHS) March 2020 cycle. Results Among the 510 candidates who responded, 62.2% applied for medical specialties, 20.2% applied for surgical specialties, and 17.6% applied for critical care and emergency specialties. Most respondents (61.2%) never had previous experience with web-based video conferences. Most respondents (80.2%) used the Zoom application to conduct the current E-interviews, whereas only 15.9% used the FaceTime application. 63.3% of the respondents preferred E-interviews over in-person interviews, and 60.6% rated their experience as very good or excellent. 75.7% of the respondents agreed that all their residency program queries were adequately addressed during the E-interviews. At the same time, 52.2% of them agreed that E-interviews allowed them to represent themselves accurately. 28.2% felt no stress at all with their E-interviews experience, while 41.2% felt little stressed and only 8.2% felt highly stressed. The factors that were independently and inversely associated with applicants’ level of stress with E-interviews experience were their ability to represent themselves during the interviews (p = 0.001), cost-savings (p < 0.001), their overall rating of the E-interviews quality (p = 0.007) and the speed of the internet connection (p < 0.006). Conclusion Videoconferencing was implemented on an urgent basis during the COVID-19 pandemic in the medical residency application process in Saudi Arabia. It was perceived as an adequate and promising tool to replace in-person interviews in the future. Applicants’ satisfaction was mainly driven by good organization, cost-saving, and their ability to present themselves. Future studies to enhance this experience are warranted.

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COVID-19 and the Ophthalmology Residency Match: Data from Applicants' Perspectives

Journal of Academic Ophthalmology ◽

10.1055/s-0041-1728759 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (01) ◽

pp. e73-e77

Author(s):

Benjamin Steren ◽

Ankur Parikh ◽

Bilal Ahmed ◽

Benjamin Young ◽

Jayanth Sridhar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Interest Groups ◽

The United States ◽

Application Process ◽

Substantial Impact ◽

Clinical Exposure ◽

Residency Programs ◽

Informed Decisions ◽

Rank List ◽

Perceived Impacts ◽

Residency Application

Abstract Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a profound impact on medical education, particularly for those applying to residency programs in 2020 to 2021. This study describes the challenges for potential ophthalmology residency applicants so that residency leadership can make informed decisions about changes to the process. Methods A survey was distributed electronically via social media and medical school ophthalmology interest groups from June 18, 2020 to July 2, 2020 to individuals interested in applying to ophthalmology residency in the United States. Survey questions included demographics and perceived impacts of COVID-19 on ability, confidence, intention to apply, and perceptions toward changes in the application process for the 2020 to 2021 ophthalmology residency application cycle. Results One-hundred sixteen total responses were received. Eighty-six responses (74%) were from individuals intending to apply in the 2020 to 2021 application cycle. Most respondents (86%) felt that their application would be affected by COVID-19 with 51% feeling less confident. Only four (5%) felt that they could adequately compile a rank list following a video interview, and over half (51%) anticipated applying to more programs than they originally intended. Academic plans of seven (8%) respondents were significantly altered via deferral of application or cancellation of a research year. Thirty-nine (45%) students reported delayed ophthalmology electives, with less than half (41%) feeling that they had adequate clinical exposure to be prepared for residency. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial impact on the 2020 to 2021 ophthalmology residency application cycle. As stakeholders begin to approach this cycle, these findings will help them make effective and informed decisions to create the best overall experience for all involved.

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OHNS Residency Program and Applicant Social Media Presence During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Annals of Otology Rhinology & Laryngology ◽

10.1177/0003489420987977 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 000348942098797

Author(s):

Shadi Ahmadmehrabi ◽

Deborah X. Xie ◽

Bryan K. Ward ◽

Paul C. Bryson ◽

Patrick Byrne

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

The United States ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Application Process ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Residency Programs ◽

Social Media Presence ◽

Residency Application ◽

The Impact ◽

Residency Match

Objectives: In addition to clinical and social disruption, the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected many aspects of the otolaryngology residency application process. With delays in the 2021 Electronic Residency Applications Service (ERAS) timeline, students and programs have had more time to interact prior to the formal application process. This communication will report recent trends in social media presence by OHNS residency programs, and discuss mechanisms to compensate for decreased applicant-program interactions using social media ahead of the 2021 Match. Methods: In a cross-sectional study of the accredited otolaryngology residency programs in the United States, the number of social media profiles on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook from 2009 to 2019 were recorded and compared. Results: Most programs (61%) have at least 1 social media profile. Over the past 10 years, the number of programs on social media has increased. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Twitter and Instagram showed higher rates of growth compared to Facebook. With the reduction of in-person opportunities for interactions, both applicants and programs are utilizing social media to showcase their values and their research. Twitter, in particular, also serves as a platform for professional networking. Conclusion: Both Twitter and Instagram are growing in popularity among programs and applicants to enhance networking. Social media is a powerful tool for networking and may help compensate for limitations imposed on the residency match process by the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining professionalism considerations. The impact of social media on the 2021 otolaryngology residency match is an evolving phenomenon.

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Teaching the residency application process to third-year medical students

Academic Medicine ◽

10.1097/00001888-198605000-00009 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 61 (5) ◽

pp. 406-8

Author(s):

D E Swee ◽

M R Stuart

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Application Process ◽

Residency Application

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Democratizing access to the residency application process: capitalizing on technology to improve information flow

Journal of Neurosurgery ◽

10.3171/2020.12.jns203530 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-3

Author(s):

Jasmine A. Thum DiCesare ◽

David J. Segar ◽

Brian V. Nahed ◽

Maya Babu

Keyword(s):

Information Flow ◽

Application Process ◽

Residency Application

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The Evolving Impact of COVID-19 on Medical Student Orthopedic Education: Perspectives From Medical Students in Different Phases of the Curriculum

Geriatric Orthopaedic Surgery & Rehabilitation ◽

10.1177/2151459320951721 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

pp. 215145932095172 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Michelle A. Richardson ◽

Wasif Islam ◽

Matthew Magruder

Keyword(s):

Medical Student ◽

Medical Students ◽

Medical Profession ◽

School Curriculum ◽

Application Process ◽

Program Coordinators ◽

Orthopedic Surgeons ◽

Fourth Year Medical Students ◽

Residency Application ◽

The Impact

Introduction: The world-wide lockdown caused by Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has upended the trajectories of lives everywhere. The medical profession has been on the front lines of this rapidly developing situation, which in turn has called for unprecedented changes in the medical school curriculum. These changes have severe implications for medical students interested in applying to competitive surgical specialties like orthopedics. Methods: As medical students in 3 different class years pursuing orthopedic surgery, we provide our perspectives on the impact that COVID-19 has had on medical student orthopedic education. Results: With the removal of away rotations and a shift to virtual interviews, rising fourth year medical students are arguably the most impacted as they prepare for the orthopedic residency application process. Third year students, who are in the exploratory phase of choosing a specialty, also face uncertainties in the shift to a “new” clerkship experience that may (1) be of shorter duration, (2) implement shifts to limit overcrowding of clinical space, and (3) increase the use of telehealth over direct patient contact. Discussion: The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the course of medical students’ orthopedic education in unprecedented ways. We believe the following suggestions may be helpful for students seeking alternative, supplemental ways of learning: (1) read up on major orthopedic journals, (2) reach out to orthopedic surgeons in areas of interest, (3) reach out to program directors/medical clerkship directors/program coordinators for opportunities to attend their educational curriculum virtually, (4) attend online lectures and hospital grand rounds, and (5) practice suturing technique with a practice kit. Conclusions: While the medical education landscape remains uncertain amid the evolving conditions of COVID-19, as medical students we strive to learn from this pandemic and respond to future unforeseen challenges with resilience, dedication, and compassion: all qualities we admire in orthopedic surgeons.

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