An evaluation of the content of hematology and medical oncology fellowship websites. (August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Farooq, Muhammad Zain; Daniyal, Muhammad; Qasim, Palvisha; Jamshed, Houria; Memon, Shehzeen Fatima; Salman, Yumna; Sayeed, Bushra Zafar; Abbasi, Maham; Jaglal, Michael
• Is Part Of: Annals of medicine and surgery. Volume 80(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-08
• Subjects: Hematology -- Medical oncology -- Graduate medical education -- Website content -- Career opportunities -- Fellowship programs; Surgery -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; General Surgery -- Periodicals; Education, Medical -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 617
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104079
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2049-0801

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: The growing demand for Hematology and Oncology services has greatly piqued the interest of potential residents towards this specialty. Since the programs' official websites are now becoming the primary source of information that potential residents turn to, we aimed to analyze program websites' content and availability across parameters that have been used by evaluators of websites. Methods: & Materials: A list of 181 fellowship programs were identified using The Fellowship and Residency Electronic and Interactive Database (FRIEDA). 160/181 were accessed via a hyperlink or Google search. Content of these websites was evaluated on a 40-point criteria system in 10 distinct domains. Websites without accessible links were excluded from the search. Results: The 160 programs were divided based on the region with the North-East having the most programs (32.5%) and the West having the least programs (12.4%). Exactly 3/4th of the websites had been updated with the latest available information. "Program overview" (89%) was the most common domain present on the websites while "Alumni" was the least common, present on only (25%) of the websites. Conclusion: When compared with previous similar research, there have been a few significant improvements across the programs' websites, however many still lack important information regarding certain domains. The content and availability of the program's website can encourage or deter an applicant, in their decision to apply to the program, hence making it necessary for programs to augment their websites. Highlights: Assessing the quality of content of fellowship programs using a 40-point criteria system for 10 distinct domains. Aim is to help optimise applicant virtual experience when they're searching through fellowship websites. The most prevalent domain mentioned by 89% of fellowship websites was 'Program Overview'. The least common domain reported was 'Alumni information' by only 23% fellowship programs.