Diversity elements on maternal-fetal medicine fellowship websites: opportunity for improvement in recruitment and representation

Winget, V.; McWhirter, Amanda; DELGADO, Marisa L; Tran, Marisa; VALENZUELA, Celia P; Orth, Teresa

doi:10.1016/j.xagr.2023.100231

Cited by 2 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 18 publications

(41 reference statements)

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“…For example, some websites included only a sentence on their DEI policy, whereas others had a dedicated DEI section. Finally, the criteria chosen for assessment were based on prior studies from other medical specialties [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. While these criteria can likely be extrapolated to prospective MFM fellows, there may be other website content that could be more important to these applicants.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Additionally, less than 30% of analyzed websites included information on DEI. This is not a new finding; a study published in 2023 found that over 80% of MFM fellowship programs showed minimal elements promoting DEI on their website [ 14 ]. They also noted a trend toward Western MFM programs, including more DEI content on their website; however, this lacked statistical significance [ 14 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Each website was evaluated to assess for the presence or absence of 21 pre-determined criteria (Table 1). The criteria were selected based on previous research evaluating website content for residency and fellowship programs and applicant survey data [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. To be included in the study, the criteria had to either be directly available on the MFM fellowship website or directly linked to the fellowship website.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Other studies have demonstrated the importance of fellowship websites when applying to and ranking programs [14][15][16]. To our knowledge, there has not been a study analyzing the content available on MFM fellowship websites.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Several studies have analyzed the content of various residency and fellowship program websites [ 4 - 13 ]. Other studies have demonstrated the importance of fellowship websites when applying to and ranking programs [ 14 - 16 ]. To our knowledge, there has not been a study analyzing the content available on MFM fellowship websites.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evaluation of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship Program Websites

Hoskins,

Daley,

Cunicelli

2024

Cureus

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IntroductionDue to the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) recommended that all interviews for residencies and fellowships be conducted in a virtual format. As of March 2024, the Society of Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) continues to request that all fellowship interviews occur virtually. Without in-person interviews, prospective Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) fellowship applicants must largely rely on program websites to gain insight into each program's offerings, culture, and application requirements. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the content of American College of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) fellowship program websites and assess if regional differences exist among website content. MethodsAll ACGME-accredited MFM fellowship program websites were assessed for 21 defined criteria as of March 2024 and further compared by geographic regions (Midwest, Northeast, South, and West). Analyses were completed using chi-squared univariate tests, with a p < 0.05. ResultsOf the 108 accredited MFM fellowship programs, 106 programs had a dedicated website (98.15%). Most MFM programs (over 80%) included contact information (102/106), program director name (98/106), faculty names (95/106), application requirements (92/106), current fellow names (91/106), and the program coordinator name (89/106) on their website. Less programs (less than 30%) included diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) content (28/106), interview dates (28/106), and current fellow research projects or publications (27/106). Western programs were less likely to include the program coordinator's name (12/18 (67%), p = 0.046), but more likely to include DEI content (10/18 (56%), p = 0.005). Northeastern programs were less likely to include their application requirements (24/32 (75%), p = 0.049) and less likely to include pictures of their current fellows (20/32 (63%), p = 0.045). Southern programs were more likely to include the yearly rotation schedule (19/32 (59%), p = 0.040). Midwestern programs were more likely to include information on fellowship benefits or salary (15/24 (63%), p = 0.046). ConclusionThis study demonstrated that the content available on MFM fellowship websites varies greatly between programs and geographic regions. Efforts should be made by MFM training institutions to enhance website DEI content, curriculum information, recent fellow publications, and information on program alumni. A detailed and well-structured website may help applicants compare individual programs more equitably in the age of virtual interviewing.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evaluation of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship Program Websites

Hoskins,

Daley,

Cunicelli

2024

Cureus

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Assessing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statements of Urogynecology Fellowships

Jenkins,

Cao,

Vurture

et al. 2024

UROGC

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Importance The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) has aimed to increase diversity among the physician workforce. Prospective applicants utilize websites to identify programs that share a commitment to equity and inclusion. Published statements of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) demonstrate a fellowship program’s recognition of the importance of improving diversity in health care and medical education. Objective The aim of the study was to assess the utilization of DEI statements published on urogynecology and reconstructive pelvic surgery (URPS) fellowship program websites. Study Design All ACGME accredited URPS fellowship websites in July 2023 were reviewed for presence of a DEI statement as a primary outcome. Website content was then compared across geographical regions (Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, South, and West). Results Seventy-two URPS programs had a dedicated website for review. Nine (12.5%) URPS programs had a published diversity statement. There were no statistical differences in the presence of a statement in URPS fellowships based on core-surgical speciality or geographic region. Conclusions A majority of URPS programs lack a DEI statement (87.5%) demonstrating an area for improvement. With an increasingly diverse patient population, the recruitment of a diverse pool of physician applicants is more crucial than ever. By advocating for transparency, URPS fellowship programs can foster an environment that nurtures a physician workforce better equipped to provide culturally inclusive health care.

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Diversity elements on maternal-fetal medicine fellowship websites: opportunity for improvement in recruitment and representation

Cited by 2 publications

References 18 publications

Evaluation of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship Program Websites

Evaluation of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship Program Websites

Assessing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statements of Urogynecology Fellowships

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