Evaluation of the Content and Accessibility of Web Sites for Accredited Orthopaedic Trauma Surgery Fellowships

Abstract

Background: Orthopaedic trauma fellowship applicants use online-based resources when researching information on potential U.S. fellowship programs. The 2 primary sources for identifying programs are the Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) database and the San Francisco Match (SF Match) database. Previous studies in other orthopaedic subspecialty areas have demonstrated considerable discrepancies among fellowship programs. The purpose of this study was to analyze content and availability of information on orthopaedic trauma surgery fellowship web sites. Methods: The online databases of the OTA and SF Match were reviewed to determine the availability of embedded program links or external links for the included programs. Thereafter, a Google search was performed for each program individually by typing the program’s name, followed by the term “orthopaedic trauma fellowship.” All identified fellowship web sites were analyzed for accessibility and content. Web sites were evaluated for comprehensiveness in mentioning key components of the orthopaedic trauma surgery curriculum. By consensus, we refined the final list of variables utilizing the methodology of previous studies on the topic. Results: We identified 54 OTA-accredited fellowship programs, offering 87 positions. The majority (94%) of programs had web sites accessible through a Google search. Of the 51 web sites found, all (100%) described their program. Most commonly, hospital affiliation (88%), operative experiences (76%), and rotation overview (65%) were listed, and, least commonly, interview dates (6%), selection criteria (16%), on-call requirements (20%), and fellow evaluation criteria (20%) were listed. Programs with ≥2 fellows provided more information with regard to education content (p = 0.0001) and recruitment content (p = 0.013). Programs with Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accreditation status also provided greater information with regard to education content (odds ratio, 4.0; p = 0.0001). Otherwise, no differences were seen by region, residency affiliation, medical school affiliation, or hospital affiliation. Conclusions: The SF Match and OTA databases provide few direct links to fellowship web sites. Individual program web sites do not effectively and completely convey information about the programs. The Internet is an underused resource for fellow recruitment. The lack of information on these sites allows for future opportunity to optimize this resource.

Evaluation of Ophthalmology Residency Program Web Sites

“…The surveyed features were chosen based on similar studies within other specialties and based on studies specifically surveying features important to residency applicants of other specialties. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]19 A survey of 87 plastic and reconstructive surgery applicants asked whether certain Web site features were deemed important. Of these features, career and fellowship placement (89%), current resident information (89%), faculty profiles (95%), and resident research (84%) were regarded as important.…”

“…Similar findings are reported in otolaryngology and orthopedic residency and orthopedic trauma fellowship Web sites. 4,6,8 Surgical volume was identified as a factor influencing rank order lists in a survey of ophthalmology residency applicants. 21 It is an integral part of training and can have implications on future career paths, yet 26% of programs provided surgical statistics.…”

“…The criteria for this study was determined by the authors and based on criteria of similar studies and surveys. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] Web Site Accessibility from ACGME Site and Application Information Each program was assessed for the presence of a URL link that directs the user to the program's Web site, defined as a functional link. Nonfunctional links were defined as directing the user to a nonworking or unrelated webpage.…”

“…The availability and content of residency Web sites has been established in several other specialties and fellowships, including ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery. [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] To the best of our knowledge, this is the first such report for ophthalmology. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the current availability of information on residency program Web sites that may be of interest to residency applicants and identify potential areas of improvement related to education and recruitment.…”

Microsurgery Fellowship Website and Social Media Presence: Are Programs Optimizing Recruitment Strategy?

“…Twenty-two independent variables were assessed based on previously published data. 4,[9][10][11][12][13][14]…”