# Obstetrics and gynecology applicant perceptions of residency program culture with virtual interviews: a qualitative analysis of social media posts

## TL;DR

This study explores how Obstetrics and Gynecology residency applicants assessed program culture through virtual interviews in 2020-2021 using social media data.

## Contribution

The study identifies how applicants evaluated residency culture via virtual interviews, focusing on diversity, social environment, and workload.

## Key findings

- Applicants used visual, verbal, and behavioral cues to assess diversity, equity, and inclusion in residency programs.
- Virtual interviews conveyed program culture through resident and interviewer behavior and responses.
- Programs should train residents and faculty on how interview conduct affects applicant perceptions.

## Abstract

In the United States, Obstetrics and Gynecology residency interviews are instrumental in assessing the compatibility between medical student applicants and residency programs during the match process. Applicant perceptions of Obstetrics and Gynecology residency culture are a key component in determining how they rank residency programs. In 2020, residency interviews transitioned to a virtual format, and little is known about how applicants evaluated program culture during this first round of universal virtual interviews. Medical students in the United States commonly use Reddit, a popular social media platform, to discuss residency programs and share interview experiences. We explored Obstetrics and Gynecology applicants’ considerations regarding residency program culture during the first universal virtual interview season in 2020–2021 by analyzing posts on a Google spreadsheet accessed through Reddit.

In 2022, we imported 731 posts from the “2020-21 OB GYN Residency Applicant Spreadsheet” Google spreadsheet posted to the 2020–2021 Residency Interview Spreadsheet megathread on the r/medicalschool subreddit to NVivo 12(QSR International, Burlington, MA), a qualitative analysis software program. Three investigators used qualitative inductive techniques to code and identify themes.

Applicants used visual, verbal and behavioral cues during virtual Obstetrics and Gynecology residency interviews to understand three components of the workplace culture: prioritization of diversity, equity and inclusion, social environment, and resident workload.

Obstetrics and Gynecology residency programs convey information about their culture during virtual interviews through the behavior, appearances and responses of residents and interviewers to applicant questions. To ensure they accurately represent their culture to applicants, programs should consider educating residents and faculty around the implications of interview-day conduct.