Perceptions of Internal Medicine Residency Program Candidates on the Use of Simulation in the Selection Process

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The recruitment of skilled candidates into internal medicine residency programs has relied on traditional interviewing techniques with varying degrees of success. The development of simulated medical technology has provided a new arena in which to assess candidates' clinical skills, knowledge base, situational awareness, and problem-solving dexterities within a standardized environment for educational and assessment purposes. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the interest of program candidates in incorporating simulation medicine into the internal medicine residency interview process. METHODS: As a prospective, survey-based analysis, potential candidates who completed an interview between October 2012 and January 2013 with an accredited internal medicine residency program were sent a postmatch survey that incorporated 3 additional questions relating to their prior experience with medical simulation and their views on incorporating the technology into the interview format. RESULTS: Of the 88 candidates who completed an interview, 92% (n = 81) were scheduled to graduate medical school in 2013 and were graduates of a US medical school. All survey responders described previous experience with medical simulation. Fifty-eight percent (n = 51) of responders described being "less likely" to interview with or join a residency program if they were required to participate in a 10-minute medical simulation during the interview process. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that despite the increasing role of technology in medical education, its role in high-stakes evaluations (such as residency interviews) requires further maturation before general acceptance by residency candidates can be expected.