A qualitative assessment of behavioral interview method among anesthesiology residency applicants.

Background: The objective of residency recruitment is to select the most appropriate candidate. While cognitive skills are identified before an interview and can be measured objectively, non-cognitive skills can be harder to discern. These non-cognitive skills though are a good predictors of future residency performance. A structured behavioral interview is better at identifying noncognitive skills compared to a traditional interview.

Objective: Compare the noncognitive traits identified in the interviews with those identified in resident evaluations.

Methods: Using the semi-annual evaluations 6 residents were split between satisfactory group and excellent group. Behavioral-based interviews and traditional unstructured interviews conducted on the same individual were compared and the results of the interview were compared to the semi-annual and annual evaluations submitted by the teaching faculty and the program directors. The interviews were analyzed for non-cognitive skills.

Results: Qualitative analysis of behavioral interview narratives and the narrative part of the semiannual evaluations independently identified the non-cognitive characteristics of adaptability, decisiveness, time management, judgment, and the ability to work in a team. It also identified other essential non-cognitive skills necessary for an anesthesiologist, such as ability to prioritize, study techniques, ability to destress.

Conclusion: The noncognitive traits found in the excellent group response to the structured interview match those found in the semi-annual evaluations. In this case individuals who are suited to the field of anesthesiology are adaptable, decisive, team-players with excellent judgment.