Abstract
Objective:
The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated virtual interview cycles for medical residency and fellowship training programs, including urogynecology and reconstructive pelvic surgery fellowships. We sought to evaluate the content of urogynecology fellowship websites post-COVID-19 and assess regional variations in available information.
Design:
This cross-sectional study evaluates the content of 56 ACGME-accredited urogynecology fellowship websites in the United States post-pandemic and delineates regional variations in the United States. Website evaluations encompassed 30 criteria across nine categories.
Materials and Methods:
56 fellowship websites were identified via Google search in April 2023. Two independent reviewers assessed the presence of 30 criteria across nine categories. Regional differences were analyzed using Fisher’s exact test, and comparisons of average criteria met between programs of two separate regions were analyzed using Z-tests of independent proportions.
Results:
On average, websites met 57% of criteria. Most included a program overview (98%) and program director name (96%), but key details such as surgical volume (7%), surgery simulations (9%), and fellow research projects (9%) were infrequently reported. Programs in the Northeast were more likely to include surgical training information than those in other regions (p < 0.013). Less than half of the websites provided details on vacation policies, call schedules, curriculum structure, or wellness benefits.
Conclusion:
Despite the increased reliance on virtual resources post-pandemic, urogynecology fellowship websites often lack essential information. Enhancing website content, particularly regarding surgical training, alumni job placement, and work benefits, would improve transparency and better support applicants in evaluating program fit.
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