Analysis of Radiation Oncology Residency Program Websites: A Call For Further Improvements

Summary: Background: Radiation oncology recently experienced sharp declines in residency applications, once becoming a top user of the SOAP. Although the number of applicants has since rebounded, this highlights the importance of implementing effective strategies to attract applicants. ​In 2015, only 13% of residency program websites contained ≥80% of information identified as important by applicants. In a 'post-COVID' world, many programs are continuing exclusively virtual interviews. Surveys of applicants and residents have shown that digital resources often serve as a program's first impressions. Thus, a well-curated website is now essential for programs to attract top talent. Methods: 88 radiation oncology residency programs, their websites, and characteristics including program size, match rate, accreditation status, and publication percentile were identified using the Doximity Residency Navigator, ACGME residency program list, and the 2019-2023 NRMP Match Results. Website comprehensiveness was evaluated based on 16 criteria, including information on didactics, clinical rotations, application requirements, current residents, alumni, salary/benefits, facility/technology and research, and the presence of a program video. Relationships between program characteristics and website comprehensiveness were evaluated in Stata using a Kruskal-Wallis t-test and linear regression. Results: Website comprehensiveness scores had a mean and median of 76.3% and 81.3%, respectively, and ranged from 18.8% to 100%. 9/16 criteria were present in ≥80% of websites. 3/16 criteria (information on call responsibilities, medical student clerkships, and social opportunities) were present in ≤60% of all websites. Programs accredited without warning had more comprehensive websites than programs accredited with warning (p < 0.01). Programs with a larger cohort of current residents (p = 0.007), higher number of spots offered in The Match (p = 0.008), and higher resident publication percentiles (p = 0.002) had more comprehensive websites. Discussion: While the availability and quality of online information on U.S. radiation oncology residency programs have improved since 2015, there is still ample room for improvement in information regarding crucial aspects of the residency experience - only 26.1% of websites contained information on call responsibilities and 58.0% contained information on social opportunities. Furthermore, only 54.6% of websites contained information on medical student clerkships, which serve as an important way of attracting new talent to the specialty. Areas for future investigation include relationships between match rates and program/location-specific characteristics (eg, region, cost of living, salary/benefits).