Nearly one-third of integrated interventional radiology residency programs lack a web presence, researchers reported in the American Journal of Roentgenology this month—and they could be missing out on recruiting the next generation of radiologists.
With the establishment of interventional radiology (IR) as a dedicated primary specialty in 2016 came a flood of new residency opportunities, corresponding author Serwin Novin, of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, and co-authors said. Still, a number of studies have found those programs are lacking enough relevant information to attract and recruit prospective interventional radiologists.
“To establish the proper fit between prospective applicants and IR residency programs, it will be imperative for IR residency program websites to adequately inform those taking part in the application cycle by clearly including data that are both pertinent and useful,” Novin and colleagues said.
The team analyzed IR residency program websites during interventional radiology’s first application cycle as a primary specialty, identifying 61 integrated IR residency programs through the Society for Interventional Radiology and the FEllowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database. Thirty-eight elements important for prospective applicants, like contact information, a walk-through of the interview process, research requirements, description of didactics and faculty descriptions, were reviewed in each case.
Of those 61 programs, Novin et al. said, 44—or 72 percent—had a dedicated website, though just 38 percent of the 38 elements analyzed were present in each case. Just two residency websites included more than half of the assessed criteria.
“Because applicants to both diagnostic radiology residency programs and IR fellowship programs widely use residency websites to assess potential programs, maintaining a comprehensive and relevant residency program website is critical for IR residencies hoping to attract suitable applicants,” Novin and colleagues wrote. “Our findings should grab the attention of existing and forthcoming integrated IR residencies.”
Though the majority of sites had a paucity of information that might be relevant to incoming residents, 95 percent included a contact email, 91 percent included a mailing address and 75 percent included a comprehensive list of faculty. Clinical responsibility progression, description of didactics and simulation experience were the least commonly included elements, and results didn’t differ based on geographical area.
Residency directors should address those gaps to ensure adequate recruitment in the future, Novin and co-authors wrote. Since residency program websites will undoubtedly play a key role in bringing in qualified candidates who will likely transition to become board-certified radiologists, it’s a big deal that more than half of sought-after information is unavailable.
“More consistent inclusion of information related to education, research, incentives, the application process and clinical training may prove beneficial for IR residency program recruitment,” the authors said. “As the integrated IR residency pathway matures, continued progress in organizing residency webpages to become increasingly comprehensive and relevant will ensure improved communication with prospective residents, which may in turn attract not only more applicants, but applicants with a stronger fit for each program.”
After graduating from Indiana University-Bloomington with a bachelor’s in journalism, Anicka joined TriMed’s Chicago team in 2017 covering cardiology. Close to her heart is long-form journalism, Pilot G-2 pens, dark chocolate and her dog Harper Lee.