Virtual residency recruitment: future directions in the new era

Figures & data

Table 1. Comparison of interviewing methods.

	Advantages		Disadvantages
Method	Applicant	Program	Applicant	Program
In-person	Evaluate physical space/location Social interactions facilitated Exposure to local culture/ethos	Concentration of resources in a smaller pool of interviewees	Travel cost Travel time Focusing on a smaller pool of programs	Difficulty accessing URM and other disadvantaged candidates* Operational expenses Negative impact of travel on environment
Virtual	Time efficiency Cost savings Interview at more programs	Opportunity to access URM and other disadvantaged candidates* Environmental impact lessened	Limit on evaluation of physical space/location Less exposure to culture/ethos	Increased application volume Learn new skill sets for virtual environment
Hybrid	Ability to access and screen programs Ability to focus on program of highest interest after virtual interview	Ability to clarify application information and identify better candidates Further evaluate candidates of highest interest after virtual interview	Travel time Travel cost Potential bias against candidates who chose to interview remotely	Potential NRMP violations Potential negative impact on recruiting disadvantaged candidates

*Groups included are underrepresented minorities in medicine (URM) and those who are economically or geographically disadvantaged, and international medical graduates.

NRMP: National Residency Match Program.

Table 2. Technologies for virtual recruitment interactions⁺.

Asynchronous	2D people	2D people/2D world	Holographic telepresence*	3D avatars/3D world
Slack	Zoom	Remo	Holographic Webex	VR Chat
Teams	Skype	Gather	Matsuko	Rec Room
Email	Facetime	Kumospace	DVE Holographics	Hubs
Text Messaging	Webex	Topia	Mesh	MeetinVR
	Teams	Branch		Horizon Workrooms

⁺This is not an exhaustive list of technologies, platforms, or companies. These are provided for example of the technology being referenced for illustrative purposes only.

*These technologies are in development and have not yet been brought to market.

Data availability statement

Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no new data were created or analyzed in this study.