An evaluation of Stroke Neurology fellowship websites: Incomplete and inconsistent information

Prospective applicants for neurology stroke fellowship programs often rely on online resources to make informed decisions. Access to comprehensive and accurate program information is essential for making application and attendance decisions. This study aimed to assess the availability of critical application and program information on websites of neurology stroke fellowship programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and participating in the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP).

Using the Electronic Residency Application Services (ERAS), a list of websites for 112 ACGME-accredited neurology stroke fellowship programs was compiled. Each website was evaluated for 7 components of application information, including deadlines and contact details, and 17 components of program information, such as compensation, rotation schedule, and faculty listings.

Of the 112 programs, only 5.1% of websites contained all 7 components of application information, while none (0%) provided all 17 components of program information. This gap in online data availability suggests that prospective fellows may struggle to find essential information to guide their application process.

The lack of comprehensive online information poses a challenge for applicants and may hinder the recruitment of qualified candidates. Improving the accessibility and completeness of information on neurology stroke fellowship websites could facilitate better decision-making and ultimately enhance program participation.