Selection of residents: what are the factors that program directors consider as determinants for the selection of residents in the personal interview according to the panel modality or multi-mini interviews in a Community University Hospital?

Abstract

The selection process for admission to residences is complex and the selection instruments are expected to be valid and reliable. The objective was to determine the factors that the program directors considered as determinants in the personal interview for the selection of residents according to the panel or multi-mini interviews (MME) modality. Material and methods.

A qualitative study was carried out through in-depth interviews with the program directors of the 2010 contest who conducted interviews with the panel modality and those of the 2022 contest with the MME modality.

Results. The following categories were built: 1) importance of the applicant being able to integrate into a work team, 2) skills to communicate during the interview, 3) motivation to choose the specialty and institution, 4) academic trajectory and aspirations for their development , 5) that they have interests not related to medicine, 6) perception that they are good people. The categories were coincident regardless of the interview modality used.

Conclusion. The main attributes valued by the program directors were the perception that the applicant can be integrated into a
work team and the skills to communicate during the interview.