Effective use of the web to expand a summer predoctoral program: the St. Jude experience.
BACKGROUND
Since 1978, the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has oncology education (POE) program for medical and other health professional students to do two-to-four-month clinical and/or basic research rotations in pediatric oncology. Limitations in funding, recruitment capability, and faculty interest held student numbers to 0-18 per year.


METHODS
In early 1997, the program announcement and an on-line application were put on the Web site, <http://www.stjude.org/poe>. An applicant's online submission is delivered immediately to the program director's e-mail inbox, promptly acknowledged via e-mail, transferred to a digital database, and forwarded electronically to prospective institutional preceptors.


RESULTS
The program accepted 36 of 61 applicants (56% minority) in 1997. A supplemental funding award enabled expansion of the program to include students preparing for health professions or biomedical sciences careers. In 1999, 75 of 139 applicants were accepted (47% minority) from 39 schools in 18 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Ireland.


CONCLUSIONS
Effective use of the Web and e-mail made it possible to inform students effectively about the institution and program, match students with preceptors, increase the number of minority participants, and expand the regional program into a national one.
Gronemeyer
S A
SA
Academic Programs Office, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105-2794, USA. suzanne.gronemeyer@stjude.org
D000329:Advertising; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D005568:Forms and Records Control; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000193:education*; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000193:education*; D011231:Preceptorship; D013714:Tennessee