Comparing the traditional and Multiple Mini Interviews in the selection of post-graduate medical trainees

Authors

  • Michael Sklar University of Toronto
  • Antoine Eskander University of Toronto
  • Kelly Dore McMaster University
  • Ian Witterick University of Toronto

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36834/cmej.36676

Keywords:

Multiple mini interview, medical education, traditional interview, postgraduate admissions

Abstract

Background: The traditional, panel style interview and the multiple mini interview (MMI) are two options to use in the selection of medical trainees with each interview format having inherent advantages and disadvantages. Our aim was to compare the traditional and MMI on the same cohort of postgraduate applicants to the Department of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery at the University of Toronto.

Method: Twenty-seven applicants from the 2010 Canadian Residency Matching Service selected for interview at the University of Toronto, Department of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery were included in the study. Each applicant participated in both a traditional interview and MMI.

Results:  Traditional interviews marked out of a total maximum score of 570.  On the traditional interview, scores ranged from 397-543.5 (69.6 - 95.3%), the mean was 460.2. The MMI maximum score was out of 180. MMI scores ranged from 93 – 146 (51.7 - 81.1%) with a mean of 114.8. Traditional interview total scores were plotted against MMI total scores. Scores correlated reasonably well, Pearson Correlation = 0.315 and is statistically significant at p = 0.001. Inter-interview reliability for the two interview methods was 0.038, with poor overall agreement 0.07%.

Conclusions: MMI and traditional interview scores are correlated but do not reliably lead to the same rank order.  We have demonstrated that these two interview formats measure different characteristics.  One format may also be less reliable leading to greater variation in final rank.  Further validation research is certainly required.

Key Words: Multiple mini interview; medical education; traditional interview; postgraduate admissions

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Author Biographies

Michael Sklar, University of Toronto

Resident Physician

Department of Anesthesiology

Antoine Eskander, University of Toronto

Resident Physician

Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery

Kelly Dore, McMaster University

Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Ian Witterick, University of Toronto

Professor and Chair
Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Toronto
Otolaryngologist in Chief

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Published

2015-12-11

How to Cite

1.
Sklar M, Eskander A, Dore K, Witterick I. Comparing the traditional and Multiple Mini Interviews in the selection of post-graduate medical trainees. Can. Med. Ed. J [Internet]. 2015 Dec. 11 [cited 2024 Mar. 28];6(2):e6-e13. Available from: https://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/cmej/article/view/36676

Issue

Section

Original Research