The new Standardized Video Interview: Top 10 Things to Know

By Daniel Cabrera • May 2, 2017

Author: Eric Funk, MD (efunkMD)

All applicants to Emergency Medicine programs this year will be required to complete a Standardized Video Interview (SVI) as part of their application. The SVI format is used in many industries, but this is the first time it will be widely used in residency applications. Questions appear on a computer screen and applicants are videotaped as they answer them. Only one attempt is allowed, and there is no chance to edit or re-do your responses. The answers are scored by experts, and both the score and the video are submitted as part of each student's application to the residency programs to which he/she is applying.

 

1. The purpose of the SVI is to provide applicants an opportunity to distinguish themselves outside of their CV and test scores.

A common sentiment from students is that the test scores on their application do not paint a complete picture of who they are as a person. The SVI is a response to this. The AAMC's goal was to create a new method for students to be assessed outside of strictly academic measures. It is an opportunity to demonstrate core competencies of communication and professionalism.

 

2. Each applicant will answer 6 questions.

There is a very large question bank that will be frequently updated to avoid students sharing questions amongst themselves. Applicants will have several minutes to answer each question. The questions were created by interview experts and reviewed by several EM program directors. Special care was taken to avoid questions that would predispose to bias. Each question will be scored from 1-5, for a range of possible scores from 6-30. Results from testing show a normal distribution centered around a mean of 18. The raters come from diverse backgrounds and have been given training in unconscious bias.

 

3. Students will not be told how they scored.

This is very frustrating for many students. Medical students, as a group, are very focused on their scores. However, applicants are already blinded to their SLOE ratings, so there is precedent for this decision. Update: it appears that the applicants will have access to the scores on September 15th.

 

4. Programs can use the SVI score and video however they see fit.

In fact, they are not obligated to use it at all. Its just like any other part of your application; if they want to ignore your Step 1 score, they can. If they want to ignore your letter of recommendation from a non-EM physician, they can (and will). No program director has time to watch a ~20 minute interview times 500-1000 applicants, so my guess is that it will probably be used as a "tie breaker" of sorts, for applicants that they are unsure about. Programs will be offered training in unconscious bias.

 

5. Emergency Medicine is the only specialty participating this year.

AAMC representatives report that EM was chosen because it is a mid-size specialty, and because several program directors in EM indicated willingness to participate. They worked extensively with multiple EM organizations and current representatives to implement the SVI. A limited field test of the SVI was conducted last year, and deemed to be a success. The SVI will likely expand to other specialties in future years. Rumor has it that obstetrics/gynecology and pediatrics are next in line.

 

6. The deadline is August 1.

This means you need to complete the SVI during July. Completing parts of the application during July is extremely early in the application process. In fact, many students will not have rotated in EM by this point, let alone made a solid decision about which specialty they are going to enter. Therefore, if you have even the slightest inclination that you might possibly consider EM, you should complete an SVI during July. There may be a pathway for students who make a decision later in the year to complete an SVI, but this process has not yet been announced and there is no guarantee that a later pathway will be established.

 

7.  AAMC has done research to examine if the SVI score is influenced by bias.

There was no significant difference in scores between men and women. They also looked for differences in regards to race/ethnicity. There was no significant difference in SVI scores between whites/blacks, and whites/Hispanics. There was a difference between whites/Asians. This is hypothesized to be caused by very high rates of foreign medical graduates among Asian applicants, who may be more likely to struggle with communication in English. There was also a difference between foreign medical graduates and US MDs, but no difference between DOs and MDs. Update: to clarify, from the official AAMC FAQ about the SVI, there is no significant differences in the scores for different subgroups of applicants.

 

8. AAMC has done research to examine if SVI score correlates with Step 1 score.

The whole point of the SVI is to provide an assessment that is unique from the other ways that students are measured. Fortunately, there is no correlation found between Step 1 score and SVI score.

 

9. HireVue is the third party that will be managing the SVI.

HireVue uses technology to prevent and detect fraud. Do not attempt to game the system, this will likely be considered a Match violation which can ruin your career before it even starts. Do your best to arrange a good internet connection and professional video background.

 

10. What other resources are there?

SVI Essentials: Released by AAMC on May 1, includes tips for applicants and unlimited practice attempts with practice questions.

 

Questions? Contact me at funk.eric@mayo.edu or follow me on Twitter @efunkEM

Did you participate in the SVI field test last year? Share your perspective!

 

Reference

  • Renee Overton. "Standardized Video Interview Updates." AAMC CGSA/COSR 2017 Meeting, 21 April 2017, Plummer Building, Leighton Hall, Rochester, MN.

 

Update 5/3/17. We added links to the official AAMC FAQ about the SVI (updated 5/2/17). It appears that applicants will have access to the scores on September 15th and also, no significant differences exist in the scores between subgroups of applications.