title: Using skype as an alternative for residency selection interviews.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Residency interviews can place significant time and financial burdens on applicants.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether the use of Skype as a screening tool during interview season in a family medicine residency is cost-effective and time-efficient for the applicant and the residency program.
  
  
  METHODS
  We surveyed 2 groups of medical students during interviews for our family medicine program. Thirty-two students were interviewed via our face-to-face, traditional interview (TI) process, and 10 students, the second group, who did not meet the program's standard interview selection criteria for TI, underwent our Skype interview (SI) process.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using an unpaired t test, we found that the applicants' costs of an SI were significantly less than a TI, $566 (95% confidence interval [CI] $784-$349, P < .001). Direct cash savings plus indirect salary savings to the program were $5,864, with a time savings of 7 interview days. Three of the applicants who were participants in the SI limb of the study were in our final rank order list.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For interviewing in family medicine residencies, use of Skype may be a cost-effective and time-efficient screening tool for both the applicant and the program. Alternate uses of SI may include the time-sensitive, postmatch Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program.
authors.forename: Louito
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Edje
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Jacklyn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kiefer
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Oram