Due to validity issues associated with the use of traditional panel interviews for medical school admission, many medical schools have replaced the panel interview with the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) developed by McMaster University. A MMI is a process consisting of numerous short interview stations in which interviewees are presented with scenarios meant to evoke organic reactions and stimulate discussion. To solicit the opinions from stakeholder groups in the Faculty of Medicine at Memorial University regarding the currently used traditional two-person panel interview process and the potential for implementing MMIs. In May 2010, an online survey was conducted with four stakeholder groups with the following response rate: The survey examined: Table 1. Views regarding the traditional interview process (% of respondents in agreement). The Traditional panel interview: Medical Students ApplicantsFacultyInterviewers Is useful in student selection Allows self expression N/A98.1 Provides accurate impression of self N/A86.5 Provides accurate impression of applicant N/A 88.5 I felt at ease during the interview N/A INTRODUCTION METHODS PURPOSE RESULTS Medical Students ApplicantsFacultyInterviewers I am familiar with the MMI I have participated in an MMI (of those familiar) Prefer the MMI as compared to traditional interview (of those familiar) DISCUSSION Identified Disadvantages of Traditional Panel Interview: 1.Subjectivity: Interview bias largest source of error. 2. Predictability: Lack of year-to year variability. Many respondents had not participated in a MMI previously but the majority were familiar with the structure. Although respondents felt an MMI could increase objectivity and decrease predictability of the interview process, there was opposition for adopting the MMI (Table 2). Table 2. Views regarding the MMI (% Respondents). Medical Students Interviewers No Change Format Questions Length of time # of interviewers Other Table 3. Proposed changes to be implemented for future interviews (% of respondents) The majority of medical students and interviewers felt that changes should be made to the current interview process (Table 3) Faculty were the most critical of the current interview process and the most likely to adopt the MMI. CONCLUSIONS Preference for the MMI vs. the traditional panel interview. Perceived advantages and disadvantages of the traditional panel interview. Preference for length of interview and number of interviewers. Perceived biases in the traditional interview process. The majority of respondents felt that a traditional, two-person panel interview provides an interview that is fair, conducive to self expression, and comfortable for applicants (Table 1). For an electronic copy of this poster, references and questionnaires used, scan this: Evaluation of the Admissions Interview Process in the Faculty of Medicine at Memorial University Wanda Parsons, Janet McHugh, Paul Dancey, Theresa Lee, Boluwaji Ogunyemi, Jacinta Reddigan Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John’s, NL Canada Improvement of the current traditional interview process in the FOM is needed. More exposure and education regarding MMIs is needed in the FOM to create support for implementing this new process. Majority of respondents support the traditional interview process compared to implementing MMIs. The following suggestions were made to improve the traditional interview format: Increase the number of interviewers from two. Incorporate new interview questions each year. Eliminate repetitive questions. Eliminate questions that facilitate scripted responses.