Internal Medicine Residency Program Applicant Perceptions of the SPLIT Recruitment Model Before and After Universal Virtual Interviews

Background: Enhancing residency recruitment with modifications to interviews has been an area of national interest, further catalyzed by the transition to universal virtual interviewing (UVI). In 2018, our internal medicine residency program redesigned the recruitment process using virtual interviews. Objective: Evaluating this recruitment model allows programs to identify applicant perceptions of each component as they consider enhancements. Design: The new model, termed "SPLIT," included separating optional applicant visit days (AVD) from interviews (S), a pre-interview supplemental form (P), learning program information from a dedicated website (L), virtual interviews (I), and flexible timing (remote interview day and site visit) (T). Participants: Applicants for the 2019 to 2023 Match who interviewed at one university-based internal medicine residency program. Main Measures: After rank list certification and before the annual Match, interviewed applicants were surveyed regarding their perceptions of the SPLIT process. Responses before (2019-2020 Matches) and after (2021-2023 Matches) UVIs were compared. Key Results: A total of 386 (75%) of 515 respondents favored video interviews. This preference was stronger in the post-UVI group (92%) than in the pre-UVI group (57%) (p < 0.001). In total, 76% of respondents attended an AVD (virtual or in-person). Applicants in the post-UVI group also favored having interviews separated from the AVD (p = 0.006) and optional AVDs (p < 0.001), more than those in the pre-UVI group. In the pre-UVI cohort, those who attended an in-person AVD tended to report a higher program understanding (OR 7.8), satisfaction with SPLIT (OR 2.1), and a better recruitment experience (OR 2.0). Conclusions: Virtual interviews were highly rated with increased preference following universal adoption. Optional AVDs separated from virtual interviews enhance applicant understanding of the program and were more effective when offered in-person before the pandemic-related restrictions. As programs begin to reintroduce in-person elements, the SPLIT recruitment model offers an innovative approach that addresses applicant and program needs.