No difference in subsequent trainee satisfaction associated with in-person exposure prior to remote interviews

Background: In 2020–2021, residency and fellowship applicants participated in virtual interviews. There was concern that trainees who had not been to the area before would potentially have different satisfaction with their new workplace and community. Objective: To compare satisfaction and likelihood to recommend work and community among new trainees with or without prior exposure to a single academic center or its environs. Methods: We conducted an IRB-approved cross-sectional survey of new trainees. An electronic survey included demographic items, self-report of prior exposure to the area, satisfaction with the program and area, and likelihood to recommend the program and area. Descriptive statistics were used for responses and Chi square tests for comparisons. Results: In September 2021 and May 2022 electronic surveys were sent to all 173 trainees who started residency or fellowship in July 2021, which had 87 responses (50.3% response rate) and 31 (18.0% response rate) responses, respectively. At both times, most respondents were interns. The majority of the September group (55.6%), while 38.7% of the May group had prior exposure to the area. Overall, the majority were satisfied with Penn State Health and would recommend their workplace. The majority also agreed they were satisfied with their new community and would recommend it to others. There were no significant differences in the proportions of satisfied trainees for any of the four outcomes at either timepoint. Conclusions: Satisfaction with training and the community were not significantly different for trainees with or without prior in-person exposure to the institution or surrounding area.