Analysis of Abdominal Radiology fellowship website content and comprehensiveness

Abstract

Purpose

Fellowship programs' online content plays a key role in prospective Abdominal Radiology applicants' evaluation of programs. The purpose of this study is to examine the online accessibility of Abdominal Radiology fellowships, the comprehensiveness of the program websites' content, and evaluate whether specific program characteristics are associated with differentiated website comprehensiveness.

Methods

A list of 67 Abdominal Radiology fellowship programs was obtained from the Society of Abdominal Radiology (SAR) website. Each of the 65 publicly-available fellowship websites was scored for the presence of 19 binary variables related to the program's attributes and curriculum to assess informational comprehensiveness. Comprehensiveness scores were compared by program characteristics (accreditation status, region, and size) using Kruskal–Wallis and two-tailed t tests.

Results

Mean comprehensiveness score of Abdominal Radiology fellowship websites as measured by online criteria met was 52.6% (10.0 ± 3.0/19). Application requirements and information, rotation scheduling, and program director contact were found on more than 87.5% of the 65 websites, whereas salary and benefits, social information, and alumni were listed on fewer than 33.8% (22/65) of websites. Program accreditation status, region, and size were not associated with difference in mean comprehensiveness scores.

Conclusions

There is a discrepancy between information commonly sought by prospective Abdominal Radiology fellowship applicants and what is available on fellowship program websites. Programs and applicants alike may benefit from programs strengthening their online material.

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