Information availability on emergency radiology fellowship websites: current state and paths to improvement

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to detail the current state of the websites of each of the currently established emergency radiology fellowship programs within the USA, in terms of publicly available information. The goal of the project is to present data for emergency radiology fellowship programs to tailor that information to attract those most interested in the pursuit of an emergency radiology fellowship position.

Methods: Emergency radiology fellowship programs were identified using the American Society of Emergency Radiology website and recent published literature. The website for each program was evaluated for the presence or absence of 23 discrete areas of information. Additionally, information from a prior study evaluating radiology resident's opinions on desired information for interventional radiology fellowship websites was utilized and compared to the information currently available on emergency radiology fellowship websites.

Results: Eighteen emergency radiology fellowship programs were initially identified. One program website was inaccessible at the time of data collection. Of the remaining 17 program websites, contact information, application requirements, program description, stand-alone website, length of fellowship, research opportunities, salary, and other benefits were available for greater than 75% of programs, while listing of current fellows, moonlighting opportunities, social information, and alumni information were available at fewer than 25% of program websites.

Conclusion: There is broad variability in the type and amount of data available to potential emergency radiology fellows across the surveyed program websites. Several key areas-specifically, listings of current fellows, rotation schedules, facility descriptions, and didactic information-present high-yield opportunities for improvement of desired accessible data.

Keywords: Fellowship application; Fellowship information; Fellowship websites; Graduate medical education; Resident and fellow recruitment.