Information scarcity among otolaryngology applicants: A review of the largest database of programs.

ABSTRACT

Objective: Otolaryngology residency applicants face challenges finding accurate information about training programs. Social media platforms are not verified, and official training program websites are not standardized. Currently, the American Medical Association's Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database (FREIDA) is the most comprehensive sanctioned and verified otolaryngology residency program database. However, the exact amount of information shared by individual programs included is not presently known. Methods: Herein, we analyzed the available data on all 124 otolaryngology residency programs in FREIDA to assess the completeness of the database. Results: While every program listed an address, contact email, and the name of the program director, more than half of programs (n = 65, 52.4%) did not provide additional information. Most programs (70.2%) did not include a one-paragraph program description. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that while FREIDA is the only sanctioned online database for residency programs, it is inadequately populated with detailed program information. Level of Evidence N/A.