Graduate health professions education programs as they choose to represent themselves: A website review

Abstract

Introduction: In an age of increasingly face-to-face, blended, and online Health Professions Education, students have more choices of institutions at which to study their degree. For an applicant, oftentimes, the first step is to learn more about a program through its website. Websites allow programs to convey their unique voice and to share their mission and values with others such as applicants, researchers, and academics. Additionally, as the number of health professions education (HPE) programs rapidly grows, websites can share the priorities of these programs. Methods: In this study, we conducted a website review of 158 HPE websites to explore their geographical distributions, missions, educational concentrations, and various programmatic components. Results: We compiled this information and synthesized pertinent aspects, such as program similarities and differences, or highlighted the omission of critical data. Conclusions: Given that websites are often the first point of contact for prospective applicants, curious collaborators, and potential faculty, the digital image of HPE programs matters. We believe our findings demonstrate opportunities for growth within institutions and assist the field in identifying the priorities of HPE programs. As programs begin to shape their websites with more intentionality, they can reflect their relative divergence/convergence compared to other programs as they see fit and, therefore, attract individuals to best match this identity. Periodic reviews of the breadth of programs, such as those undergone here, are necessary to capture diversifying goals, and serves to help advance the field of HPE as a whole.