Precarização do trabalho de enfermeiras: uma análise na Atenção Primária à Saúde brasileira / Precarization of nurses' work: an analysis in the Brazilian Primary Health Care / Precarización del trabajo de las enfermeras: un análisis en la Atención Primaria de Salud Brasileña

Resumo Este artigo teve como objetivo analisar os tipos de vínculos de trabalho das enfermeiras da Atenção Primária à Saúde no Brasil. Tratou-se de um estudo transversal de abordagem quantitativa e descritiva. Utilizaram-se os microdados secundários referentes ao desdobramento da pesquisa de avaliação externa do Programa de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade da Atenção Básica. Quanto ao tipo de vínculo, com exceção da Região Norte (33,70%), todas as outras regiões apresentaram como principal respondente servidoras públicas estatutárias: Sul (66,20%), Centro-Oeste (56,50%), Nordeste (40,33%), Sudeste (36,69%). Enfermeiras com contrato temporário pela administração pública e contrato temporário por prestação de serviço tiveram participação importante no Nordeste (29,51% e 19,33%) e Centro-Oeste (16,03% e 17,86%). Contrato e empregado via Consolidação das Leis do Trabalho tiveram mais expressão no Sudeste (23,54% e 8,27%) e no Sul (5,93% e 19,31%). No Sudeste, foi expressiva a participação de trabalhadoras contratadas por organizações sociais de saúde. Notou-se a presença crescente de vínculos precários de trabalho em detrimento dos vínculos estáveis. As novas formas de organização flexível das relações de trabalho trazem impacto significativo ao processo de trabalho, sobrecarregam as enfermeiras, em condições de trabalho inadequadas, e comprometem a qualidade da assistência, reduzindo a resolutividade da Atenção Primária.

Abstract This article aimed to analyze the types of work bond of nurses from Primary Health Care in Brazil. This was a cross-sectional study of a quantitative and descriptive approach. Secondary microdata related to the breakdown of the external evaluation research of the Access Improvement Program and the Quality of Basic Care were used. As for the type of bond, except for the Northern Region (33.70%), all other regions presented as the main respondent for statutory public servants: South (66.20%), Central-West (56.50%), Northeast (40.33%), Southeast (36.69%). Nurses with temporary contracts for public administration and temporary service contracts had important participation in the Northeast (29.51% and 19.33%) and Central-West (16.03% and 17.86%). Contract and employee through Consolidation of Labor Laws had more expression in the Southeast (23.54% and 8.27%) and in the South (5.93% and 19.31%). In the Southeast, the participation of workers employed by social health organizations was expressive. The growing presence of precarious labor links was noted, to the detriment of stable bonds. The new forms of flexible organization of work relationships bring significant impact to the work process, overload nurses in inadequate working conditions, and compromise the quality of care, reducing the resolubility of Primary Care.

Resumen El presente artículo tuvo como objetivo analizar los tipos de vínculos laborales de las enfermeras de Atención Primaria de Salud en Brasil. Se trata de un estudio transversal de enfoque cuantitativo y descriptivo. Se utilizaron microdatos secundarios relacionados con la división de la investigación de evaluación externa del Programa de Mejora del Acceso y la Calidad de la Atención Básica. En cuanto al tipo de vínculo, a excepción de la Región Norte (33,70%), todas las demás regiones se presentaron como principal demandado para los funcionarios públicos estatutarios: Sur (66,20%), Centro Oeste (56,50%), Noreste (40,33%), Sureste (36,69%). Las enfermeras con contratos temporales de administración pública y contratos temporales de servicios tuvieron una participación importante en el Nordeste (29,51% y 19,33%) y Centro Oeste (16,03% y 17,86%). Contrato y empleado a través de la Consolidación de Las Leyes Laborales tuvieron más expresión en el Sudeste (23,54% y 8,27%) y en el Sur (5,93% y 19,31%). En el Sudeste, la participación de los trabajadores empleados por las organizaciones de salud social fue expresiva. Se observó la creciente presencia de vínculos laborales precarios, en detrimento de vínculos estables. Las nuevas formas de organización flexible de las relaciones laborales tienen un impacto significativo en el proceso de trabajo, sobrecargan a las enfermeras en condiciones laborales inadecuadas y comprometen la calidad de la asistencia, reduciendo la solubilidad de la Atención Primaria.

Face-to-face vs. remote digital settings in job assessment interviews: A multilevel hyperscanning protocol for the investigation of interpersonal attunement.

The digitalization process for organizations, which was inevitably accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, raises relevant challenges for Human Resource Management (HRM) because every technological implementation has a certain impact on human beings. Between many organizational HRM practices, recruitment and assessment interviews represent a significant moment where a social interaction provides the context for evaluating candidates' skills. It is therefore relevant to investigate how different interaction frames and relational conditions affect such task, with a specific focus on the differences between face-to-face (FTF) and remote computer-mediated (RCM) interaction settings. In particular, the possibility of qualifying and quantifying the mechanisms shaping the efficiency of interaction in the recruiter-candidate dyad-i.e. interpersonal attunement-is potentially insightful. We here present a neuroscientific protocol aimed at elucidating the impact of FTF vs. RCM modalities on social dynamics within assessment interviews. Specifically, the hyperscanning approach, understood as the concurrent recording and integrated analysis of behavioural-physiological responses of interacting agents, will be used to evaluate recruiter-candidate dyads while they are involved in either FTF or RCM conditions. Specifically, the protocol has been designed to collect self-report, oculometric, autonomic (electrodermal activity, heart rate, heart rate variability), and neurophysiological (electroencephalography) metrics from both inter-agents to explore the perceived quality of the interaction, automatic visual-attentional patterns of inter-agents, as well as their cognitive workload and emotional engagement. The proposed protocol will provide a theoretical evidence-based framework to assess possible differences between FTF vs. RMC settings in complex social interactions, with a specific focus on job interviews.

Understanding Caregiver Perspectives on an Electronic Consultation and Referral System.

This study examined caregiver impressions of an electronic consultation and referral (ECR) system. Participants included 56 caregivers of primary care patients referred through the ECR system. Semistructured interviews and surveys were conducted between August 2018 and April 2019. Transcripts were coded and themes developed using thematic content analysis. A total of 51% of caregivers stated that they would prefer to see their child's primary care provider (PCP) for a specialty issue if they could receive the same quality of care. All caregivers who received an electronic consult (n = 28) said that they would utilize that process again. Three themes emerged: (1) caregivers expect immediate action prior to or instead of a specialty referral; (2) caregiver preferences for PCP versus specialist are mediated by both child and provider characteristics; (3) caregiver attitudes toward the ECR system are influenced by external considerations and experiences with the system. Results suggest caregivers value enhanced communication and immediate access to specialty input facilitated by the ECR system.

Questionnaires vs Interviews for the Assessment of Global Functional Outcomes After Traumatic Brain Injury.

Importance: An interview is considered the gold standard method of assessing global functional outcomes in clinical trials among patients with acute traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, several multicenter clinical trials have used questionnaires completed by a patient or caregiver to assess the primary end point. Objective: To examine agreement between interview and questionnaire formats for assessing TBI outcomes and to consider whether an interview has advantages. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study used data from patients enrolled in the Collaborative European NeuroTrauma Effectiveness Research in TBI (CENTER-TBI) project from December 2014 to December 2017. Data were analyzed from December 2020 to April 2021. Included patients were aged 16 years or older with TBI and a clinical indication for computed tomography imaging. Outcome assessments were completed using both an interview and a questionnaire at follow-up 3 and 6 months after injury. Exposures: Traumatic brain injury of all severities. Main Outcomes and Measures: Ratings on the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOSE) administered as a structured interview rated by an investigator and as a questionnaire completed by patients or caregivers and scored centrally were compared, and the strength of agreement was evaluated using weighted κ statistics. Secondary outcomes included comparison of different sections of the GOSE assessments and the association of GOSE ratings with baseline factors and patient-reported mental health, health-related quality of life, and TBI symptoms. Results: Among the 3691 eligible individuals in the CENTER-TBI study, both GOSE assessment formats (interview and questionnaire) were completed by 994 individuals (26.9%) at 3 months after TBI (654 [65.8%] male; median age, 53 years [IQR, 33-66 years]) and 628 (17.0%) at 6 months (409 [65.1%] male; median age, 51 years [IQR, 31-64 years]). Outcomes of the 2 assessment methods agreed well at both 3 months (weighted κ, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.73-0.80) and 6 months (weighted κ, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.78-0.86). Furthermore, item-level agreement between the 2 methods was good for sections regarding independence in everyday activities (κ, 0.70-0.79 across both time points) and moderate for sections regarding subjective aspects of functioning such as relationships and symptoms (κ, 0.41-0.51 across both time points). Compared with questionnaires, interviews recorded more problems with work (294 [30.5%] vs 233 [24.2%] at 3 months and 161 [26.8%] vs 136 [22.7%] at 6 months), fewer limitations in social and leisure activities (330 [33.8%] vs 431 [44.1%] at 3 months and 179 [29.7%] vs 219 [36.4%] at 6 months), and more symptoms (524 [53.6%] vs 324 [33.1%] at 3 months and 291 [48.4%] vs 179 [29.8%] at 6 months). Interviewers sometimes assigned an overall rating based on judgment rather than interview scoring rules, particularly for patients with potentially unfavorable TBI outcomes. However, for both formats, correlations with baseline factors (ρ, -0.13 to 0.42) and patient-reported outcomes (ρ, 0.29 to 0.65) were similar in strength. Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study, GOSE ratings obtained by questionnaire and interview methods were in good agreement. The similarity of associations of the ratings obtained by both GOSE methods with baseline factors and other TBI outcome measures suggests that despite some apparent differences, the core information collected by both interviews and questionnaires was similar. The findings support the use of questionnaires in studies in which this form of contact may offer substantial practical advantages compared with interviews.

Características fenotípicas y factores de riesgo del síndrome de ovario poliquístico en estudiantes de enfermería / Phenotype characteristics and risk factors of polycystic ovarian syndrome among nursing students

Antecedentes: el síndrome de ovario poliquístico (SOP) es una afección endocrina común que se presenta en las mujeres y se asocia con problemas como irregularidades menstruales; hirsutismo; obesidad; resistencia a la insulina; acné; y vida posterior con diabetes mellitus y cáncer de útero. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar las características fenotípicas y los factores de riesgo del síndrome de ovario poliquístico en estudiantes de enfermería. Materiales y métodos: Estudio transversal (descriptivo) que incluyó una muestra de 400 mujeres de la Facultad de Enfermería de la Universidad de Zagazig, Egipto. Se utilizaron para la recopilación de datos; hoja de cuestionario de entrevista estructurada, datos relacionados con medidas antropométricas, factores de riesgo sobre el SOP y lista de verificación observacional sobre las características fenotípicas de la PCO. Resultados: el 6% de las alumnas estudiadas tenía antecedentes familiares de PCO, casi la mitad de ellas consumía comida rápida, más de la mitad de las alumnas estudiadas tenía hirsutismo, más de una cuarta parte tenía acné, (14,5%) tenía irregularidades menstruales y una tercera parte. de ellos tenían un aumento de peso anormal continuo. Además, este estudio mostró que se encontró falta de conciencia entre la mayoría de las niñas sobre el SOP. Discusión: Por tanto, se podría concluir que los antecedentes familiares de SOP, la obesidad y los hábitos alimentarios de comida rápida se encuentran como factores predisponentes para el desarrollo de SOP. El riesgo de síndrome de ovario poliquístico aumenta con la presencia de uno o más factores predisponentes identificados. La mayoría de los factores probados como factores predisponentes en nuestro estudio están interrelacionados entre sí y son en su mayoría modificables. Aunque el SOP es un trastorno endocrino prevalente, había un conocimiento deficiente entre las estudiantes de la Facultad de Enfermería de la Universidad de Zagazig. Conclusiones: El estudio recomendó un programa de detección del ministerio de salud para la detección temprana de los factores predisponentes del SOP, incluidos los estudiantes de secundaria y los estudiantes de facultades, a través de programas educativos y mensajes a través de la consejería, folletos, para aumentar la conciencia de los estudiantes sobre los síntomas del SOP. Investigar más sobre el tamaño de la muestra más grande para identificar cómo el problema es riesgoso y cómo abordarlo. Incluyendo el problema en redes sociales y canales saludables.

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine condition that occurs in women and is associated with problems such as menstrual irregularities; hirsutism; obesity; insulin resistance; acne; and later life with diabetes mellitus and uterine cancer. The study aim was to assess phenotype characteristics and risk factors of polycystic ovarian syndrome among nursing students. Materials and Methods: Cross sectional study (descriptive) included a sample of 400 females from Faculty of Nursing, Zagazig University, Egypt. Were used for data collection; structured-interviewing questionnaire sheet, data related to anthropometric measures, risk factors about PCOS and observational check list about phenotype characteristics of PCO. Results: 6% of the studied student females had family history of PCO, nearly half of them had fast food, more than half of studied student females had hirsutism, more than one quarter had acne, (14.5%) had menstrual irregularity and one third of them had continuous abnormal weight gain. Also, this study showed that lack of awareness was found among majority of girls about PCOS. Discussion: Therefore, it could be concluded that, family history of PCOS, obesity and fast-food diet habits are found to be the predisposing factors for development of PCOS. The risk of PCOS increases with presence of one or more identified predisposing factors. Most of the factors tested as predisposing factors in our study are interlinked to each other and are mostly modifiable Although that PCOS is prevalent endocrine disorder, there was poor knowledge among student females in Faculty of Nursing Zagazig University. Conclusion: The study recommended screening program from ministry of health for early detection of predisposing factors of PCOS including the secondary school students and faculties students through educational programs and messages through the counseling, brochures, to increase students' awareness about PCOS symptoms. Further research on larger sample size to identify how the problem is risky and how to deal it. Including the problem in social media and healthy channels

Challenges of Cognitive Interviewing in Sensitive Health Topic Research.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive interviewing is a qualitative methodology for generating valid, reliable patient-centered outcome measures. There are challenges inherent in research on sensitive topics that require thoughtful approach by the scientist for data collection methods, analysis, and interpretation. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to provide principles of cognitive interviewing for sensitive health topics. METHODS: We review the challenges inherent in cognitive interviewing for sensitive topics scale development. We illustrate adaptations to general cognitive interviewing for sensitive topics through the presentation and analysis of a research exemplar. RESULTS: Researchers must consider threats to quality of sensitive topic data collection and potential harms to participants and researchers. We provide specific examples of how these risks were mitigated in a sensitive topic scale development study. DISCUSSION: Unique challenges of cognitive interviewing for sensitive health topics can be addressed with a well-planned data collection strategy, anticipating participant safety concerns, and consideration to researcher well-being.

Perceptions and lessons from web-based interviews for the reproductive endocrinology and infertility fellowship application cycle.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the experience and perceptions of reproductive endocrinology and infertility fellowship applicants and program directors (PDs) regarding the current and future use of web-based interviews (WBIs). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Nationwide cohort. PATIENT(S): Reproductive endocrinology and infertility fellowship applicants and PDs participating in the 2020 application cycle. INTERVENTION(S): Anonymous survey sent to applicants and PDs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Descriptive study evaluating the experience and satisfaction of applicants and PDs with WBIs. RESULT(S): Forty-six percent of applicants and eligible PDs responded to our survey. Most applicants and PDs responded that WBIs were adequate for conveying a sense of a program's strengths, faculty, diversity, clinical training, and research opportunities, but less than half responded that WBIs were adequate in providing a sense of the program's clinical site and facilities. After WBIs, both applicants (73%) and PDs (86%) were able to rank with confidence. The cost of WBIs was significantly lower for both applicants (median: $100) and programs (median: $100) than the costs previously reported for in-person interviews. The applicants interviewed at more programs than they would have if the interviews were on-site, and Zoom was the highest rated platform used. Most applicants and PDs responded that WBIs were an adequate substitute, and that they should continue after the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Furthermore, most of the PDs were planning to continue to use WBIs in some capacity. CONCLUSION(S): Both applicants and PDs had favorable experiences with and perceptions of WBIs, and most endorse the continued use of this interview modality. The findings of this study can help guide and optimize future WBI practices.

Tuberculosis diagnosis cascade in Blantyre, Malawi: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) control relies on early diagnosis and treatment. International guidelines recommend systematic TB screening at health facilities, but implementation is challenging. We investigated completion of recommended TB screening steps in Blantyre, Malawi. METHODS: A prospective cohort recruited adult outpatients attending Bangwe primary clinic. Entry interviews were linked to exit interviews. The proportion of participants progressing through each step of the diagnostic pathway were estimated. Factors associated with request for sputum were investigated using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 5442 clinic attendances 2397 (44%) had exit interviews. In clinically indicated participants (n = 445) 256 (57.5%) were asked about cough, 36 (8.1%) were asked for sputum, 21 (4.7%) gave sputum and 1 (0.2%) received same-day results. Significant associations with request for sputum were: any TB symptom (aOR:3.20, 95%CI:2.02-5.06), increasing age (aOR:1.02, 95%CI:1.01-1.04 per year) and for HIV-negative participants only, a history of previous TB (aOR:3.37, 95%CI:1.45-7.81). Numbers requiring sputum tests (26/day) outnumbered diagnostic capacity (8-12/day). CONCLUSIONS: Patients were lost at every stage of the TB care cascade, with same day sputum submission following all steps of the diagnosis cascade achieved in only 4.7% if clinically indicated. Infection control strategies should be implemented, with reporting on early steps of the TB care cascade formalised. High-throughput screening interventions, such as digital CXR, that can achieve same-day TB diagnosis are urgently needed to meet WHO End TB goals.

Adapting Compassion Education Through Technology-Enhanced Learning: An Exploratory Study.

PURPOSE: Compassion is central to health care. Efforts to promote compassion through educational interventions for health professionals show promise, yet such education has not gained widespread dissemination. Adapting compassion education through technology-enhanced learning may provide an opportunity to enhance the scale and spread of compassion education. However, challenges are inherent in translating such curricula for online delivery. In this study, the authors explored how technology influences the delivery of compassion education for health professionals. METHOD: Using constructivist grounded theory methodology, the authors conducted semistructured interviews with 13 participants from across Ontario, Canada, from March to October 2019. The sample consisted of individuals who had experience with the design and evaluation of compassion education for health professionals. The interviews were coded and inductively analyzed to identify pertinent themes using constant comparative analysis. The study originated at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada. RESULTS: Participants provided a range of responses regarding technology and compassion education. While participants revealed concerns about the constraints of technology on human interaction, they also described technology as both inevitable and necessary for the delivery of future compassionate care curricula. Participants also shared ways in which technology may enhance compassion education for health professionals by increasing accessibility and learner comfort with vulnerability. Addressing technological ambivalence, improving facilitation, and maintaining a balance between face-to-face instruction and technology-enhanced learning were identified as elements that could advance compassion education into the future. CONCLUSIONS: Compassion education can be enhanced by technology; however, evidence-informed adaptation may require deliberate efforts to maintain some level of face-to-face interaction to ensure that technology does not erode human connection. Further research is required to address the uncertainties surrounding technology and compassion education as identified by participants. These findings provide educators with guidance for adapting compassionate care curricula into a digital domain.

Adapting the telephone assessment and skill-building kit to the telehealth technology preferences of stroke family caregivers.

Family caregivers exhibit a wide variety of needs and concerns while providing care to stroke survivors after discharge to the home setting. We report the results of two related studies utilizing a multimethod design in which stroke family caregivers (N = 12; N = 10) were interviewed using open-ended questions, followed by written caregiver ratings regarding the types of telehealth technologies they preferred for the telephone assessment and skill-building kit (TASK III). Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis procedures with a provisional "start list" of codes in a matrix template based on the types of telehealth technologies in the rating forms. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze ratings with response scales ranging from 1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree. Average ratings for the telehealth technologies for the TASK III resource guide were obtained for the mailed hard copy binder (M = 3.58-4.13; SD = 0.35-1.00), an interactive website (https://www.task3web.com/; M = 3.86-4.17; SD = .72-1.07), an eBook (M = 3.17-3.67; SD = 0.84-1.17), and a USB drive (M = 3.75-4.00; SD = .82-.96). Average ratings for the telehealth technologies for the TASK III calls with the nurse were obtained for the use of a telephone (M = 4.36-5.00; SD = 0.00-0.89), FaceTime on an iOS device (e.g., iPhone or iPad; M = 3.73-4.40; SD = 0.79-0.98), or online videoconferencing (M = 3.17-3.50; SD = 0.82-1.47). Qualitative data revealed a wide variety of preferences for each type of telehealth technology, with advantages and disadvantages of each. The findings underscored the importance of offering multiple telehealth technology options to stroke family caregivers. Future studies are recommended that employ randomized control trial methodology to test theoretically-based interventions that are based on stroke family caregiver preferences for telehealth technologies.

Virtual Interviews May Fall Short for Pediatric Surgery Fellowships: Lessons Learned From COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2.

BACKGROUND: As a result of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, many Pediatric Surgery Fellowship programs were forced to convert their normal in-person interviews into virtual interviews. This study sought to determine the perceived value of virtual interviews for Pediatric Surgery Fellowship. METHODS: An anonymous survey was distributed to the applicants and faculty at a university-affiliated, free-standing children's hospital with a Pediatric Surgery fellowship program that conducted one of three interview days using a virtual format. RESULTS: All applicants who responded to the survey had at least one interview that was converted to a virtual interview. Faculty (75%) and applicants (87.5%) preferred in-person interviews over virtual interviews; most applicants (57%) did not feel they got to know the program as well with the virtual format. Applicants and faculty felt that virtual interviews could potentially be used as a screening tool in the future (7/10 Likert) but did not recommend they be used as a complete replacement for in-person interviews (3.5-5/10 Likert). Applicants were more likely than faculty to report that interview type influenced their final rank list (5 versus 3/10 Likert). CONCLUSIONS: Faculty and applicants preferred in-person interviews and did not recommend that virtual interviews replace in-person interviews. As the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic continues, more virtual interviews will be necessary, and innovations may be necessary to ensure an optimal interview process. TYPE OF STUDY: Survey. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: N/A.

Preparing for the interviewing process during Coronavirus disease-19 pandemic: Virtual interviewing experiences of applicants and interviewers, a systematic review.

PURPOSE: Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has forced upon all academic institutions to conduct virtual interviewing (VI) instead of face-to-face interviewing (FTFI) this interviewing cycle. The purpose of this systematic review was to understand the process of VI, its effectiveness as an alternative to FTFI, and the experiences of applicants and institutions with VI. We also share best practice strategies for applicants and institutions in VI preparation. METHOD: PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library of Systematic Reviews, Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus and CINAHL databases were searched through May 2020. Articles in English evaluating the effectiveness of VI were included, without applying any date limits. Two reviewers selected articles and extracted data. RESULTS: Of the 934 articles screened, 22 articles underwent full-text article analysis to include 15 studies. There were 4 studies that reported the use of VI as a screening tool. 11 studies completely replaced FTFI with VI. Most applicants could appropriately convey themselves through VI. Most applicants and interviewing programs expressed reservations about VI's use as an alternative to FTFI. CONCLUSION: There is dearth of evidence supporting the efficacy of VI. There is an opportunity for potential research at multi-institutional level to gain better understanding of the efficacy of VI. The knowledge obtained from this systematic review has the potential of helping applicants and institutions in preparing for VI process. Additionally, authors propose supportive strategies to help prepare applicants and institutions for VI.

Perception of medical students and residents about virtual interviews for residency applications in the United States.

INTRODUCTION: Residency applications via virtual-interview could potentially mitigate the extensive cost and time required for customary in-person interviews. We outline the perception of medical students and residents on the use of virtual-interview for residency applications in lieu of in-person interviews. METHODS: We obtained 1824 responses from medical students and residents through an online questionnaire between March2019-Feb2020 in Texas-United States. The survey had 11 statements (five in favor of in-person interviews and 6 in favor of virtual interviews) that respondents could rank on a 5-point Likert scale. All statements' scores were summed based on the response given by each participant to create a total score between 11 and 55. The perception of the two groups was analyzed using an independent sample T-test and ANOVA. RESULTS: We received a total of 1711 responses from medical students and 113 from medical residents. Respondents were more female (82.2% of medical students and 47.8% of residents), with a mean age of 22.87±3.42 years old for medical students and 28.72±4.35 years old for residents. Both groups preferred in-person interviews; however, the residents were significantly more in favor (P = 0.03). Both groups agree that virtual-interviews should be as an option, though this was considerably higher in the medical students (P = 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, "travel distance" and "type of medical school" had a significant impact on choosing the virtual-interviews in both groups (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In-person interviews are favored by both medical students and residents compared to virtual-interview services in normal circumstances. However, both groups agree that programs should offer the option of having virtual-interviews as an available choice. Distance to an interview location and the type of medical school were the factors that had a significant impact on perception of using virtual-interviews. Knowing about the applicants' attitude toward residency interviews and the national circumstances are essential when preparing the interview guides. Our findings are limited by the small sample size and the low response rate. Further extensive studies are warranted to better understand the perception of residency applicants toward virtual-interviews to improve the interview process in the United States.

Transition to multiple mini interview (MMI) interviewing for medical school admissions.

INTRODUCTION: The multiple mini interview (MMI) has been incorporated into the holistic review process in the selection of students to US medical schools. The MMI has been used to evaluate interpersonal and intrapersonal attributes which are deemed as necessary for future physicians. We hypothesized that there would be little difference in overall MMI evaluation data compared with traditional interview ratings. METHODS: The University of North Carolina School of Medicine developed an interview process that included a traditional interview and MMI format during the 2019 admissions cycle. Evaluation data along with key demographic variables for 608 MD program applicants were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical analyses. RESULTS: The MMI format slightly favored female over male applicants (p = 0.002) but did not select for or against applicants based on age, race/ethnicity, underserved/rural area upbringing, or indicators of disadvantage. Out of 608 applicants, 356 (59%) completed a post-interview survey in which the experience was positively rated. DISCUSSION: Based on our experience, the use of a hybrid model of traditional interviews complemented with MMI stations provided greater details in the assessment of medical school applicants while obtaining equivalent data and acceptability amongst applicants.