Interviewers’ and Interviewees’ Perceptions of the Changes in Recruitment of Orthodontic Specialty Registrars

Abstract

Aim

To assess interviewers’ and interviewees’ perceptions of the National Recruitment for Orthodontic Specialty Registrars in 2012.

Design

Cross-sectional survey.

Methods

Interviewers and interviewees completed an anonymous questionnaire comprising of 25 and 16 questions, respectively. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and frequency distributions.

Results

All interviewees (83/83) and 88% (36/41) of interviewers completed the questionnaires. Of the interviewees, 61% were female; their mean age was 28·9 years (95% CI: 28·2–29·6). The mean time since bachelor of dental science (BDS) was 5·6 years (95% CI: 4·9–6·3) with 78% qualifying from a UK university. The interviewees preferred the multi-station interview (MSI) format, considered the questions easy to understand and thought that MSI was fairer than traditional interviews. Of the interviewers, 56% were male; their mean age was 45·5 years (95% CI: 43·0–48·0). The mean time that they had been a consultant was 11·4 years (95% CI: 8·7–13·1). The interviewers thought that the interviews were fair, tested an appropriate range of competences, selected the best candidates to be appointed and would appoint the same people if repeated.

Conclusions

Interviewees were very positive about the organization and perceived fairness of the MSI format. Interviewers were positive about the selection of candidates, fairness and conduct of the MSI format.