Virtual Residency Interviews: A Survey of Anesthesiology Program Director Perspectives Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused a rapid pivot from in-person to virtual residency interviews across the United States. We present a survey we conducted about the attitudes and opinions of anesthesiology program directors with regard to the 2021 virtual interview process.

Methods: This was a 13-question online survey disseminated to 142 anesthesiology residency program directors in February 2021, asking them to compare the most recent interview cycle to their experience with prior cycles.

Results: There were 46 (37%) respondents. Generally, respondents saw an increase in applicants and reported perceiving worse interpersonal relationships with applicants, significantly so in programs with small resident classes.

Conclusions: Past research has focused on the benefits of virtual interviews for the applicant, but these should be evaluated in tandem with increased difficulties for the interviewers.