Abstract
Purpose :
To investigate the accessibility and content of ophthalmology residency program (ORP) websites.
Methods :
Using the San Francisco Match (SFMATCH) website, a list of Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education approved ORPs was complied. ORP websites were identified using links on SFMATCH and Google search. Each website was assessed for the availability of content in 2 domains: recruitment (RD) and education (ED). Student t-test/ANOVA and Mann-Whitney tests/Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare the variables based on normality.
Results :
One hundred and eleven ORPs were identified from the SFMATCH directory. Eighty-two (74%) of 111 programs had a functional link on SFMATCH, but only 21 (26%) of the links led directly to the ORP website. However, through a Google search, all 111 (100%) ORPs were identified with a website. Application deadline and interview date information were more readily accessible on the SFMATCH website compared to ORP websites (both p<0.01, respectively). In the RD, an average of 6.16 (44%) of 14 items were found with program description (100%), contact email (80%) and phone number (76%) most readily available. Interview date details (16%), meal allowance (14%), and parking (20%) were least available. In the ED, an average of 7.50 (50%) of 15 items were found with faculty listing (92%), current resident (86%), rotation schedule (85%), and didactic description (86%) most readily available. Alumni education history (11%) and average board performance (2.7%) were least available (Table 1). Comparison of website RD and ED contents by program characteristics showed no difference in U.S. News ranking (top 10 vs. not top 10; both P>0.21), ORP geographical location (West vs. Midwest vs. Northeast vs. South; both P>0.06), and size of the residency class (≤2 residents vs. 3 to 4 residents vs. 5 to 6 residents vs. ≥7 residents; both P>0.57)(Table 2).
Conclusions :
Access to individual ORP websites is more readily available through a Google search than through the SFMATCH website. Application deadline and interview date information are more readily available on SFMATCH website than ORP websites. Overall, ORP websites demonstrated a paucity of RD and ED contents, underutilizing their online website as a source of information for applicants. There may be opportunity to improve online content accessibility for future ophthalmology residency applicants.
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.