The multiple mini-interview: how long is long enough?

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The multiple mini-interview (MMI) overcomes the limitations of the traditional panel interview by multiple sampling to provide improved objectivity and reliability. Reliability of the MMI is affected by number of stations; however, there are few data reporting the influence of interview duration on MMI outcome and reliability. We aimed to determine whether MMI stations can be shortened without affecting applicant rankings or compromising test reliability. METHODS: A total of 175 applicants were interviewed and assessed at 10 8-minute stations. Applicants were scored once after 8 minutes at five control stations and twice after 5 minutes and 8 minutes at five experimental stations. Scores at 5 and 8 minutes were compared using t-tests and correlation coefficients. Rankings of applicants based on 5- and 8-minute scores were compared using Spearman's rank order coefficient. The reliability of the MMI was examined for 5- and 8-minute scores using generalisability theory. RESULTS: Mean scores at 5 minutes were lower than mean scores at 8 minutes. Cumulative scores at 5 minutes were also lower. There were highly significant correlations between 5- and 8-minute scores at all experimental stations (0.82-0.91; P < 0.01) and between the cumulative scores at 5 and 8 minutes (0.92; P < 0.01). There was a strong correlation between applicant rankings based on cumulative 5- and 8-minute scores (Spearman's rank order coefficient 0.92). Reliability was not affected. CONCLUSIONS: Reducing the duration of MMI stations from 8 to 5 minutes conserves resources with minimal effect on applicant ranking and test reliability.

Author information

Author/s: Dodson, Michael (M); Crotty, Brendan (B); Prideaux, David (D); Carne, Ross (R); Ward, Alister (A); de Leeuw, Evelyne (E);

Affiliation: Department of Medicine, Deakin Medical School, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia. michael.dodson(-atsign-)deakin.edu.au

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article

Journal: Medical education (Med Educ), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Feb; vol 43 (issue 2) : pp 168-74

Dates: Created 2009/01/23; Completed 2009/04/20;

PMID: 19161488, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 4/20/2009, IMS Date: 20 Apr 2009 00:00:00)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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