Rationale and objectives: In the transition to the integrated interventional radiology residency model, residency websites are important resources of program information for prospective applicants. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the availability and comprehensiveness of integrated interventional radiology residency websites.
Materials and methods: A complete list of programs participating in the 2018 integrated interventional radiology match was collected using the online Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database and Electronic Residency Application Service. Residency program websites were evaluated for the presence of 19 variables related to resident education and recruitment, and the percent comprehensiveness of each website was calculated based on the number of variables present. The effect of program size and geographic region on website availability and comprehensiveness was assessed.
Results: Of the 69 programs participating in the 2018 match, 18 (26%) programs did not have any locatable website. Of the 51 programs with websites, 30 (59%) had stand-alone interventional radiology websites distinct from the associated diagnostic radiology website. Large programs were more likely to have a residency website than small programs (91% versus 54%, p=0.001). Across all categories, the mean website comprehensiveness was 33%. Mean website comprehensiveness of programs in the Midwest (43%) and Northeast (37%) was significantly greater than mean website comprehensiveness of programs in the West (19%) (p=0.005).
Conclusion: Overall, 1 in 4 integrated interventional radiology residency programs did not have locatable websites. Many integrated interventional radiology residency websites lack important content variables. Efforts should be made to improve the residency websites and digital training resources for prospective interventional radiology applicants and to help showcase programs in the best light.
Keywords: Education; Internet; Interventional Radiology; Residency; Website.