S1278 COVID-19 Effects on the Gastroenterology Fellowship Application Process: A Survey of Program Directors

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected GI fellowship training programs including the consideration of virtual interviews for applicants during the 2020-2021 academic year Prior studies have shown success with virtual interviews within GI, but this has not been implemented on a larger scale This study aimed to clarify the potential impact of COVID-19 on GI fellowship recruitment, particularly in areas hardest hit by COVID-19 METHODS: In May, a questionnaire was distributed to the GI Program Directors' Listserv requesting participation via Survey Monkey Data regarding demographics of programs and program director (PD) perception of the impact of COVID-19 on the upcoming recruitment season were collected An email blast was sent to the entire listserv, with follow up individual emails to PDs Results were analyzed using SPSS v25 RESULTS: 57 PDs started the questionnaire with a 95% completion rate There was representation from all geographic regions, size, institution affiliation, and pandemic stage [Table 1] 23 programs (40 4%) were from institutions identifying as pandemic Stage 3 by the ACGME (extraordinary circumstances) PDs from Stage 3 institutions did not expect differences in application strength or letters of recommendation from prior years but did expect a decrease in research productivity from applicants compared to other programs (78 3%vs 41 9%, P = 0 03) Programs at Stage 3 institutions were more likely to expect decreases in number of applications (43 5% vs 16 1%, P = 0 03) but did not anticipate increasing the number of interviews conducted If virtual interviews are utilized, PDs had a varied response to predict the success level of the interview season (Scale 0-100;mean =7 2 ± 27 2) There was no difference in predicted success based on pandemic stage (P = 0 76) but PDs from community and academic-affiliated programs were far less optimistic about having a successful interview season compared to those from tertiary care centers (mean 36 4 vs 55 9, P = 0 04) See Table 2 for additional results CONCLUSION: GI fellowship PDs have differing views on how the COVID-19 pandemic will affect the upcoming fellowship recruitment season Programs in areas with high COVID-19 prevalence are more concerned about decreased applications, and programs from community and academic affiliated institutions have more doubts about an overall successful recruitment Programs should work together to share experiences and best practice standards to increase success for all programs (Table Presented)