Critical Evaluation of the Efficiency of Colorectal Fellowship Websites: Cross-Sectional Study (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Websites are an important source of information for fellowship applicants as they can influence ongoing interest and potential program selection. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the current state of colorectal fellowship websites. METHODS This cross-sectional study evaluates the quantity and quality of information available on websites of colorectal fellowship programs verified by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education in 2019. RESULTS A total of 63 colorectal fellowships were included for evaluation. Websites were surveyed for content items that previous study has found to be influential to program applicants. The 58 (91%) programs with a functional website were evaluated using an information index (calculated as a function of availability of content items concerning education, application, personnel, and benefits) and an interactive index (calculated as a function of accessibility and usability of the webpage). Programs had a median total score of 27.8 (interquartile range 21.5-34.5) out of 79. The median score for interactive index was 7.5 out of 15 and information index was 20 out of 64. The median scores for website application, education, personnel, and benefits or life considerations were 5, 5.5, 3.3, and 4 out of 13, 24, 13, and 14, respectively. There was no difference in total score between programs in different geographical regions. CONCLUSIONS Currently, colorectal surgery fellowship program websites do not provide enough content for applicants to make informed decisions. All training programs regardless of specialty should evaluate and improve their digital footprint to ensure their websites are accessible and provide the information desired by applicants.