title: How Informative are the Plastic Surgery Residency Websites to Prospective Applicants?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the comprehensiveness of plastic surgery program websites.
  
  
  METHODS
  American Medical Association interactive database was accessed for the list of integrated plastic surgery programs, in June 2015. Since then, 67 plastic surgery program websites were accessed and searched for the presence or absence of 31 criteria, which were further grouped into 5 categories: First, program contact information; second, training and research; third, program setup; fourth, benefits and facilities; and fifth, information for applicants. Programs were categorized based on US census bureau designated regions, and number of residency positions available. One-way ANOVA test was used for comparison.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only 25% (17) program website had information available on more than two-thirds (21 or more of 31) of the criteria. The 3 least factors commonly available by program websites were: operative log (10%), contract (10%), and information on night float (25%). The 3 most commonly available factors included: coordinator information (92%), number of residents (92%), and comprehensive faculty list (88%). Less than 50% of the programs provided information regarding fellowship opportunities, active and previous research projects, and operative logs. There was no difference in amount of information on program websites when analyzed for program size or program geographic location.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Programs should consider revising their websites to include aforementioned 31 criteria. This would make applicants and potential resident physicians better informed of the programs before the interview process such that they would be more likely to apply to only those programs that match their specific aspirations.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Detroit Medical Center, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan. Electronic address: ahashmi@med.wayne.edu.
authors.forename: Asra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hashmi
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Detroit Medical Center, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan.
authors.forename: Rohan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Policherla
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Detroit Medical Center, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan.
authors.forename: Hector
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Detroit Medical Center, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan.
authors.forename: Faraz A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Detroit Medical Center, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schumaier
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Detroit Medical Center, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan.
authors.forename: Faisal
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Al-Mufarrej
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002321:Career Choice; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000458:organization & administration; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D020407:Internet / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D013518:Surgery, Plastic / Q000193:education*; D014481:United States
keywords: Applicant; Interpersonal and Communication Skills; Medical Knowledge; Professionalism; Residency; Websites