title: Impact of sociodemographic characteristics of applicants in multiple mini-interviews.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Multiple mini-interviews (MMI) are commonly used for medical school admission. This study aimed to assess if sociodemographic characteristics are associated with MMI performance, and how they may act as barriers or enablers to communication in MMI.
  
  
  METHODS
  This mixed-method study combined data from a sociodemographic questionnaire, MMI scores, semi-structured interviews and focus groups with applicants and assessors. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed using multiple linear regression and a thematic framework analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  1099 applicants responded to the questionnaire. A regression model (R2=0.086) demonstrated that being age 25-29 (β = 0.11, p = 0.001), female and a French-speaker (β = 0.22, p = 0.003) were associated with better MMI scores. Having an Asian-born parent was associated with a lower score (β = -0.12, p < 0.001). Candidates reporting a higher family income had higher MMI scores. In the qualitative data, participants discussed how maturity and financial support improved life experiences, how language could act as a barrier, and how ethnocultural differences could lead to misunderstandings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Age, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status and language seem to be associated with applicants' MMI scores because of perceived differences in communications skills and life experiences. Monitoring this association may provide guidance to improve fairness of MMI stations.
authors.affiliation: a Division of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases , Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal , Montréal , Canada.
authors.forename: Jean-Michel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Leduc
authors.affiliation: b Health and Society Institute, Université du Québec à Montréal , Montréal , Canada.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rioux
authors.affiliation: c Center of Pedagogy Applied to Health Sciences, Université de Montréal , Montréal , Canada.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gagnon
authors.affiliation: d Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine , Université de Montréal , Montréal , Canada.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bourdy
authors.affiliation: e Centre for Medical Education , University of Dundee , Dundee , UK.
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dennis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012570:School Admission Criteria; D012577:Schools, Medical; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult