Published in:
01-09-2020
An assessment of the online presentation of MIS fellowship information for residents
Published in: Surgical Endoscopy | Issue 9/2020
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Introduction
Residents often utilize internet resources to evaluate and search for fellowship programs within their desired field. The presence of these resources and the information available through them has the potential to influence applicant decisions. The objective of this study was to analyze the online MIS fellowship information relevant to resident applicants provided by the Fellowship Council Directory (FCD) and institutionally based program webpages.
Materials and methods
The programs evaluated were chosen based on their inclusion in the FCD, the accrediting body for MIS fellowships. The FCD provides each program a template through which program directors detail information for applicants. This information is publicly accessible through the directory, with each program having a specific page. These webpages were assessed for the presence or absence of 21 previously established individual content criteria. In addition, the presence or absence of a functional link to an institutionally based, program-specific webpage was determined. These program-specific, institutional webpages were then independently accessed via Google® search and separately assessed for the presence or absence of the same 21 previously established content criteria.
Results
In total, the FCD listed 144 programs. Each program had a dedicated page within the directory itself with 104 (72%) having functional links listed. Ninety-six (66.6%) of the FCD links were identified as being specific webpages to the fellowship program, verified through a Google® search. Less than half of the programs fulfilled over 50% of identified criteria through the FCD templated directory, with one-third of programs listed failing to provide any program-specific information via a webpage outside the FCD.
Conclusion
Information available online for MIS fellowship programs is lacking, with many institutionally supported webpages absent altogether outside of the FCD. Templated formats seem to assist in this deficiency, but should be used cautiously as they also can potentially omit relevant information.