Reliability and acceptability of the multiple mini-interview for selection of residents in cardiology

Introduction: The multiple mini-interview (MMI) model can beuseful to evaluate non-cognitive domains and guide the selectionprocess in medical residency programs. The aim of this study wasto evaluate the reliability and acceptability of the MMI model forthe selection of residents in a cardiology residency program.Methods: We conducted an observational and prospectivestudy. It was performed in a tertiary-care center specialized incardiology and included candidates for the cardiology residencyprogram in March 2018. Ten stations were developed to evaluatedifferent non-cognitive domains. Reliability was evaluated by thegeneralizability G coefficient. Candidates and interviewers weresurveyed to evaluate the acceptability of the MMI model.Results: Nine faculty members were trained and 22 candidateswere evaluated. The G study showed a relative G coefficientbetween 0.56 and 0.73, according to the design. 91% of thecandidates stated that they preferred MMI over other types ofinterviews as a selection method for admission to the residencyprogram, and all the interviewers considered they had enoughtime to evaluate the candidates and their strengths as futureresidents.Conclusion: The MMI is a reliable model to evaluate candidatesfor a residency program in cardiology with high acceptabilityamong residents and observers.