title: Utility of onsite interviews in the pediatric surgery match.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The value of onsite interviews for the pediatric surgery match remains undefined despite substantial cost to applicants. This study assesses the impact of onsite interviews on the rank order lists submitted to the match by pediatric surgery residency training program directors (PDs).
  
  
  METHODS
  PDs were asked prospectively to evaluate pediatric surgery residency candidates based solely on their ERAS application and generate a "pre-interview rank list." Interviews were then held based on the usual practice of each program. PDs then submitted de-identified pre-interview and final rank lists. The impact of the interview process upon rank list movement of candidates was assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 44 programs, 16 (36%) provided data for analysis. Onsite interviews resulted in candidates moving a mean of 5.2 ± 1.2 rank positions, whereas candidates ranked in the first 5 positions moved an average of 4 ± 2 places, 81% of the initial top-ranked candidates moved out of this position, and 36% of top 10 candidates moved out of the top 10.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Onsite interviews are high-stakes events which substantially affect the final rank order list in the pediatric surgery match. Programs should take these data into account when determining the number of interview invitations.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY. Electronic address: c0down01@louisville.edu.
authors.forename: Cynthia D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Downard
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goldin
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.
authors.forename: Michelle M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Garrison
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Waldhausen
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Tennessee, Memphis, TN.
authors.forename: Max
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Langham
authors.affiliation: Divison of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hirschl
mesh_terms: D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000379:methods*; D007407:Interviews as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000193:education*; D013043:Specialties, Surgical / Q000193:education*
keywords: Applicant; Interviews; Match; Pediatric surgery; Program director