Related Experiment Videos
Hand Society and Matching Program Web Sites Provide Poor Access to Information Regarding Hand Surgery Fellowship
Richard M Hinds1, Christopher S Klifto1, Amish A Naik1
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, New York University Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York, United States.
Journal of Hand and Microsurgery
|September 15, 2016
Summary
Finding hand surgery fellowship information online can be challenging. While program descriptions are available, website accessibility and data quality vary, requiring improved online resources for applicants.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Medical Education
- Surgical Training
Background:
- The internet is a primary resource for hand surgery fellowship applicants.
- The quality and accessibility of online fellowship information remain largely unexamined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the accessibility of hand surgery fellowship websites.
- To assess the quality of information provided on these program websites.
Main Methods:
- Websites were identified via the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) and National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) directories, and Google searches.
- Accessibility was determined by direct links, and accessible sites were evaluated for information quality.
Main Results:
- Google searches provided access to 86% of websites, significantly more than ASSH (32%) or NRMP (0%).
- All accessible websites (72) provided program descriptions, but information quality varied, with application requirements (97%), contact emails (85%), and research details (75%) commonly included.
Conclusions:
- Google is the most reliable method for accessing hand surgery fellowship information online.
- While program descriptions are universal, variable information quality and accessibility challenges persist for applicants.
- Enhancing website accessibility and content quality is crucial for hand surgery fellowship programs.