Advertise Right by Addressing the Concerns: An Evaluation of Women's/Breast Imaging Radiology Fellowship Website Content for Prospective Fellows

Abstract

PurposeFellowship is an important part of postgraduate medical training as it facilitates advanced training in a subspecialty of interest. Internet is the most readily available and frequently used tool for acquiring information about the fellowship programs by residents worldwide. The aim of this study was to analyze the content of the websites of American and Canadian breast/women's imaging fellowship programs. MethodsThe content of active Canadian and American breast/women's imaging fellowship websites was collected and analyzed in August 2019 using 27 different criteria in the categories of application process, recruitment, education, research, clinical work, and incentives. The fellowship program without a webpage were excluded from the study. ResultsOut of 76 active breast/women's imaging Radiology fellowship programs in the US and Canada, 75 had dedicated fellowship websites available for analysis. One program was excluded due to lack of a dedicated website. On average, websites showcased 11 of the 27 criteria (40.0%). The category with the least prevalent information was incentives especially career placement after completion of the fellowship (1/75, 1.3%). Majority of the programs around 80.0% (60/75) had adequate information about the application process and requirements.The mean number of schools satisfying the different groups of criteria differed (P< 0.01); more schools satisfied the application criteria (60.5/75; 79.6% ± 20.3%) than the incentives (12.8/75; 16.8% ± 8.2%) and recruitment (24.5/75; 32.2% ± 29.7%) criteria. ConclusionMajority of the breast and women's imaging fellowship websites lack important information. Providing comprehensive online information about the program and application process may help the applicants to choose the best suited program for their academic needs and career progression.