The Impact of Virtual Interviews on Satisfaction and Diversity in the Orthopedic Surgery Residency Match

Introduction

The recent pandemic necessitated virtual interviews for residency applications. While the travel restrictions have eased, the future of virtual interviews remains uncertain, and more information is needed regarding their impact. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of virtual interviews on both matched applicants’ and program directors’ satisfaction with match outcomes. Secondarily, we assessed the impact of virtual interviews on resident diversity.

Methods

This study received endorsement from COERG (Collaborative Orthopedic Education and Research Group). It consisted of surveys distributed to 24 orthopedic surgery residency program directors and residents in their programs, administered at the midpoint of their second year of residency. The surveys were conducted in 2 rounds: the first round targeted the class of 2025, who completed all interviews in person and served as the control group. The second round, conducted the following year, targeted the class of 2026, who underwent all interviews virtually. Each round involved 2 similar surveys to the ones conducted the year before, 1 for program directors and one for residents. Demographics, including resident race and socioeconomic measures, were also collected along with these surveys. Satisfaction was rated on a scale of 1 to 5, and mean satisfaction scores were calculated. Mann-Whitney U-test was performed for statistical analysis.

Results

We received a total of 96 responses from residents, 60 in-person and 36 virtual interviewees. Of the 24 residency program directors who received surveys, 23 responded to the first-round survey (95.8%), while 18 responded to the second-round survey (75%), resulting in an overall response rate of 85.4%. Residents who interviewed virtually reported lower overall satisfaction with their residency program (p < 0.01), less satisfaction with a good fit between the applicant and the program (p < 0.01), faculty feedback (p < 0.05), research opportunities (p < 0.05), and the educational curriculum at their program (p < 0.01). Program directors were less satisfied with the timeliness of residents from the virtual cohort (p < 0.05) and the knowledge of the virtual cohort (p < 0.05). We found no significant difference in resident diversity between the 2 cohorts of matched residents.

Conclusion

Virtual interviews were associated with a reduction in both resident and program director satisfaction with match outcomes. Further, virtual interviews did not significantly increase residency diversity. These findings do not support the use of virtual interviews in the orthopedic surgery match process.