An Evaluation of Rhinology and Skull Base Surgery Fellowship Websites

Background/Objective: When pursuing a fellowship in rhinology/skull base surgery, otolaryngology residents routinely utilize internet resources to gather data that may influence application and/or ranking to a particular fellowship program. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the availability of key information provided by independent rhinology/skull base surgery fellowship Web sites and compare this to information available on the American Rhinologic Society (ARS) Web site.

Methods: Two independent reviewers analyzed program-created Web sites and the ARS Web site fellowship program listing for 20 criteria ([Table 1]). These criteria were determined based on prior surveys of rhinology/skull base surgery fellows and applicants regarding factors important to them in programs, in addition to previously published fellowship Web site evaluations in other specialties. Programs that did not have a program-created fellowship Web site were excluded.

Results: Of 37 rhinology/skull base surgery programs identified, 34 (91.9%) had program-created fellowship Web sites. On average, program-created Web sites fulfilled 49.4% of the 20 criteria, whereas the ARS Web site fulfilled 58.1%. Most program-created Web sites (82.4%) provided a general description of cases performed, though 47.1% mentioned general case volume and only seven (20.6%) provided a sample case log. In comparison, the ARS provided general case volume for 82.4% and sample case logs for 55.9% of programs. The placements of fellowship graduates were described by 38.3% of program-created Web sites compared with 61.8% of ARS-listed programs. Only 47.1% of program-created Web sites described the weekly clinic/operating room schedule a fellow could expect, whereas this information could be obtained for 94.1% of programs on the ARS Web site. Other important items such as protected academic time and dedicated fellow clinic were inconsistently specified by program-created Web sites (55.9% and 44.1%, respectively) and the ARS Web site (67.6% and 47.1%, respectively).

Conclusion: Many rhinology/skull base surgery fellowship Web sites lack key information that would be valuable to applicants. While some of this information may be obtained from the ARS fellowship listing Web site, valuable metrics such as specific case numbers, graduate placements, number of positions, and fellow clinic are inconsistent and lacking from both sources. Inclusion of these criteria could help applicants make a more well-informed decision when applying into rhinology/skull bases surgery fellowship.

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Artikel online veröffentlicht:
05. Februar 2024