Showcasing Your Cardiothoracic Training Program in the Virtual Era

As part of the response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, cardiothoracic training programs quickly transitioned midinterview season toward a virtual format. This monumental and rapid undertaking led to the adoption of novel virtual interviewing techniques, many of which have been developed and partially rolled out by other specialties for years. The COVID-19 pandemic is still here, and when the end will be in sight is unclear. However, most, if not all, of the novel interview techniques that were rapidly adopted by cardiothoracic training programs during the 2020 interview season will continue to be relevant even after the pandemic and need for social distancing subsides. In this literature review, we highlight techniques that can be used by cardiothoracic training programs to virtually showcase their attributes and strengths to give applicants as realistic of a view of the program as possible. Such efforts include developing and emphasizing a social media presence, expanding information within training program websites, broadcasting virtual educational content, and creating virtual tours. In addition, we will review approaches toward structuring a virtual interview day to provide candidates with a deeper glimpse into the inner workings of the program. We can use this opportunity provided by the COVID-19 pandemic to develop innovative methods of conducting fellowship interviews that may persist long into the future, as we consider limitations historically caused by finances, scheduling, clinical responsibilities, and family needs.