Skype VS In-Person Interviews for Residency

Who is conducting the study and what is the purpose of the research?

Dr. Ali Seifi, MD, Director of Neuro Critical Care at UT Health San Antonio is conducting a research study as the Principal Investigator (PI). The research study aims to investigate whether Skype can act as a reasonable and effective alternative to in-person interviews for residency. 

 

Who is asked to participate

We are looking for approximately 500 medical students, 200 residents, and 50 faculty members currently involved in a medical academic program in the USA to participate in the research.

 

Do you have to be in this study?

Participation in voluntary.

 

Procedures

As part of the research project, you are asked to complete a short (5-10 minute), anonymous survey regarding your thoughts on Skype as an alternative to in-person residency interviews.

 

Risks and Benefits

There are no risks associated with your participation in this study, as the surveys are anonymous. The researchers are using publicly available methods to recruit for this study; including social media and contacting Program Directors of residency programs across the country so that the survey may be disseminated throughout institutions across the USA. For these reasons, it is even more difficult for the researchers to identify the participants in the study.

 

You will not benefit directly from your participation in this research study, but the researchers hope that information gained from this study may help residency programs evaluate the pros and cons of in-person and/or Skype interviews for residency in the future.

 

Confidentiality

No identifiable information will be collected and all answers and opinions will remain anonymous. Data collected will be only be viewable to the research conductors. Your input is greatly appreciated to assess the viability of using Skype as a more widespread residency interview tool.

 

Costs and Compensation

There is no cost to answer the survey, nor will you be paid for your participation.

 

Contact Information

Dr. Ali Seifi, MD seifi@uthscsa.edu

 

The University of Texas Health Science Center committee that reviews research on human subjects (Institutional Review Board) will answer any questions about your rights as a research subject, and take any comments or complaints you may wish to offer.  You can contact the IRB by calling 210-567-8250, or by mail to IRB, UTHSCSA, Mail Code 7830, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX  78229-3900.

 

If you proceed to complete the survey on the next page, you are providing consent to participate in the research. If you do not wish to participate, do not proceed to the next page.

 

You may print and keep a copy of this page for your records.

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* 1. Are you currently a resident?

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* 2. What is your age?

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* 3. What is your gender?

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* 4. What is your race or origin?

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* 5. What medical school did you attend?

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* 6. Now that you have matched, looking back, it was important that you personally visited the location (building, city, etc) of the residency program.

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* 7. Having a residency interview over Skype would make you seem as much of a serious or dedicated applicant as someone who went to their interview in person.

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* 8. It was really important for you to have met the residents and staff of your residency program.

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* 9. I think having a residency interview over Skype would affect the personal connection to your interviewer compared to someone who went in person.

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* 10. I think an interview over Skype is less stressful than an interview in person.

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* 11. I had difficulty affording all the travel needed for my residency interviews.

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* 12. I had to be away from school for the in-person residency interviews to the point that it was concerning.

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* 13. I believe I could be in my current residency position even if I had done a Skype interview.

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* 14. Approximately, what was the farthest distance you traveled during your residency interview season? (answer in miles)

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* 15. Approximately, how much did you spend during your residency interview season? (answer in $)

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* 16. Did you use Skype for a residency interview?

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* 17. If I had to participate in a residency interview over Skype, I would be worried about computer technical difficulties.

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* 18. Did you encounter any technical difficulties during your Skype residency interview?

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* 19. If I had a Skype interview, I think it should be done in a special facility rather than from my phone or from my computer at home.

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* 20. I think programs should offer both options of interviewing in-person and over Skype.

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* 21. Which of the following residencies do you think an interview would be OK done over Skype: (Select all that apply)

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* 22. What residency did you match into?

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* 23. Overall, would you consider a Skype interview for your fellowship or for your future job?

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* 24. Overall, do you think Skype is an acceptable alternative to in-person residency interviews?

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