BACKGROUND: Program websites are essential resources in the process of residency and fellowship application. We evaluated the information furnished on these resources by Epilepsy fellowship programs. The extent of information provided was compared across geographic zones, academic affiliation, and national ranking.
METHODS: A list of Epilepsy fellowship programs was derived from the Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database (FREIDA). Links to program websites were obtained directly from FREIDA or using Google\'s search engine. Online data was categorized to reflect program information, education, recruitment, compensation, epilepsy center-specific information, and social media presence. Data points under each category were collected to develop a standardized scoring system. The frequency of criterion present was compared across geographic zones, academic affiliation, and national ranking using parametric and non-parametric statistical tests. Significance was determined at a p-value ≤ 0.05 for all cases. The study utilized IBM SPSS version 28 and Python 3.11.3.
RESULTS: We analyzed 80 Epilepsy fellowship programs. The most reported feature was the program director\'s name and email (100.0%). The least reported features included board pass rates (1.3%), preparatory boot camp (8.8%), and post-fellowship placements (11.3%). Programs were found to be well-represented on X (88.8%), Facebook (81.3%), and Instagram (71.3%). Most (85.0%) of the programs were searchable through Google. The scores for program information, education, recruitment, compensation, epilepsy center-specific information, and social media visibility did not significantly vary based on location, academic affiliation, or rank status.
CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that despite an online presence, there is much room for improvement in the content available to the applicant. To improve the Match process and attract a roster of well-informed fellows, Epilepsy fellowship programs should furnish program websites with up-to-date information relevant to program information, education, recruitment, compensation, and epilepsy center-specific information.

BACKGROUND: The Ignacio Chávez National Institute of Cardiology (NIC) has positioned itself as an international benchmark in cardiovascular medical education, standing out for its high academic standards and human quality.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to identify the employment and academic profile of cardiology fellowship graduates from the National Institute of Cardiology of Mexico (NIC).
METHODS: A cross-sectional and retrospective study was conducted, involving 473 graduates from the period 2000-2015. Data was collected through an electronic survey.
RESULTS: A total of 221 graduates agreed to participate, accounting for 46.7% of the total number of graduates. Among the participants, 85.2% were male. The majority of graduates (82.4%) held Mexican nationality, while the remaining individuals represented various Latin-American nationalities. Following the completion of the cardiology fellowship, 89% of graduates pursued further postgraduate degrees. Within this group, 95.4% completed at least one additional fellowship, while 4.6% pursued a master\'s or PhD program. The most popular fellowship program chosen was Interventional Cardiology. On average, NIC graduates dedicate 10.8 hours per day to their work, with 6.4 hours dedicated to cardiology and 4.3 hours to their other postgraduate degree. Those employed in both public and private health systems allocate 6.1 hours and 5.2 hours per day, respectively. Additionally, 75% of graduates are involved in teaching activities. Currently, 84% of graduates are employed in Mexico.
CONCLUSIONS: The majority of NIC graduates are physicians who further their academic training by pursuing additional postgraduate programs. They work longer hours per day compared to the general Mexican population, with a significant focus on clinical cardiology. Graduates actively seek opportunities to share their expertise through various academic activities.
BACKGROUND: El Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez (INC) se ha posicionado como un referente internacional en la educación médica cardiológica, destacándose por su alto nivel académico y calidad humana.
OBJECTIVE: El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar el perfil laboral y académico actual de los egresados del Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez (INC).
UNASSIGNED: Se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal y retrospectivo que incluyó a 473 egresados del INC graduados entre 2000 y 2015. Se utilizó una encuesta electrónica para recopilar los datos.
RESULTS: Un total de 221 egresados aceptaron participar en el estudio, lo que representa el 46.7% del total de egresados. El 85.2% de los participantes son hombres. La mayoría de los egresados son de nacionalidad mexicana (82.4%), mientras que el resto se distribuye en varios países de Latinoamérica. El 89% de los egresados completó otro posgrado después de cardiología. De este grupo, el 95.4% realizó al menos una alta especialidad, mientras que el 4.6% obtuvo una maestría o doctorado. La especialidad más comúnmente elegida fue Cardiología Intervencionista. Los egresados del INC trabajan en promedio 10.8 horas al día, de las cuales 6.4 horas se dedican a la cardiología clínica y 4.3 horas al otro posgrado. Aquellos que trabajan en el sector público y privado dedican 6.1 horas y 5.2 horas al día, respectivamente. Además, el 75% de los egresados desempeña actividades de enseñanza. El 84% de los egresados trabajan en México.
UNASSIGNED: En su mayoría, los egresados del INC son médicos especialistas que continúan su formación académica a través de la realización de otros posgrados. Trabajan más horas al día en comparación con el resto de la población mexicana, y dedican la mayor parte de su tiempo al ejercicio de la cardiología clínica. También buscan transmitir sus conocimientos a través de actividades académicas y de enseñanza.

UNASSIGNED: Initiated in June 2019, this collaborative effort involved 15 public and private sector hospitals in Pakistan. The primary objective was to enhance the capacity for pediatric neuro-oncology (PNO) care, supported by a My Child Matters/Foundation S grant.
UNASSIGNED: We aimed to establish and operate Multidisciplinary Tumor Boards (MTBs) on a national scale, covering 76% of the population (185.7 million people). In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, MTBs transitioned to videoconferencing. Fifteen hospitals with essential infrastructure participated, holding monthly sessions addressing diagnostic and treatment challenges. Patient cases were anonymized for confidentiality. Educational initiatives, originally planned as in-person events, shifted to a virtual format, enabling continued implementation and collaboration despite pandemic constraints.
UNASSIGNED: A total of 124 meetings were conducted, addressing 545 cases. To augment knowledge, awareness, and expertise, over 40 longitudinal lectures were organized for healthcare professionals engaged in PNO care. Additionally, two symposia with international collaborators and keynote speakers were also held to raise national awareness. The project achieved significant milestones, including the development of standardized national treatment protocols for low-grade glioma, medulloblastoma, and high-grade glioma. Further protocols are currently under development. Notably, Pakistan\'s first pediatric neuro-oncology fellowship program was launched, producing two graduates and increasing the number of trained pediatric neuro-oncologists in the country to three.
UNASSIGNED: The initiative exemplifies the potential for capacity building in PNO within low-middle income countries. Success is attributed to intra-national twinning programs, emphasizing collaborative efforts. Efforts are underway to establish a national case registry for PNO, ensuring a comprehensive and organized approach to monitoring and managing cases. This collaborative initiative, supported by the My Child Matters/Foundation S grant, showcases the success of capacity building in pediatric neuro-oncology in low-middle income countries. The establishment of treatment protocols, fellowship programs, and regional tumor boards highlights the potential for sustainable improvements in PNO care.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the structure of a dedicated body oncologic imaging fellowship program. To summarize the numbers and types of cross-sectional imaging examinations reported by fellows.
METHODS: The curriculum, training methods, and assessment measures utilized in the program were reviewed and described. An educational retrospective analysis was conducted. Data on the number of examinations interpreted by fellows, breakdown of modalities, and examinations by disease management team (DMT) were collected.
RESULTS: A total of 38 fellows completed the fellowship program during the study period. The median number of examinations reported per fellow was 2296 [interquartile range: 2148 - 2534], encompassing all oncology-relevant imaging modalities: CT 721 [646-786], MRI 1158 [1016-1309], ultrasound 256 [209-320] and PET/CT 176 [130-202]. The breakdown of examinations by DMT revealed variations in imaging patterns, with MRIs most frequently interpreted for genitourinary, musculoskeletal, and hepatobiliary cancers, and CTs most commonly for general staging or assessment of nonspecific symptoms.
CONCLUSIONS: This descriptive analysis may serve as a foundation for the development of similar fellowship programs and the advancement of body oncologic imaging. The volume and diversity of examinations reported by fellows highlights the comprehensive nature of body oncologic imaging.

BACKGROUND: Increased racial/ethnic diversity of the physician workforce can improve health outcomes for marginalized populations. Currently, the pediatric urology workforce is less racially/ethnically diverse than the pediatric population it serves.
OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess current recruitment efforts and barriers to recruitment of underrepresented in medicine (URM) fellows in pediatric urology fellowship programs.
METHODS: A 20-question REDCap survey was created and distributed to 27 pediatric urology fellowship program directors (PDs). The survey consisted of 4 sections of questions focused on PD demographics, program characteristics, recruitment efforts, and perceptions of barriers to recruitment.
RESULTS: A total of 20 PDs responded to the survey (74 %), including 3 incomplete responses. A majority of participants identified as Caucasian/white (79 %), male (68 %), over 40 years of age (89 %), and had served as PD for 5 years or more (68 %). Most PDs (70 %) identified their program having 5-10 full-time pediatric urologists. Many PDs (75 %, 15/20) identified their program as less diverse than the patient population served, and 53 % (9/17) reported having no methods in place for diversity recruitment. Of those who reported a recruitment method, mentorship was the most common (35 %, 6/17). When asked about recruitment barriers, 59 % (10/17) reported that no barriers existed, while those who identified a barrier most commonly cited an overall limited applicant pool (18 %, 3/17).
CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric urology fellowship programs are less diverse than the patient populations served; while PDs value program diversity, most PDs report that there are no mechanisms in place to recruit racially/ethnically diverse trainees. To address this, we recommend active and intentional efforts to increase URM recruitment in pediatric urology. By taking an active role in existing recruitment efforts, pediatric urologists can increase their visibility, broadcast their commitment to diversity, form relationships with trainees earlier in training and increase opportunities for mentorship and early exposure to the field.
CONCLUSIONS: Intentional recruitment efforts are needed to recruit URM trainees to pediatric urology fellowship programs and ensure the diversity of the pediatric urology workforce can better reflect patients served.

Rheumatology fellowship programs represent a pivotal juncture for aspiring specialists, embarking on a transformative journey of expertise and care. The League of Arab States, comprising 22 nations and a collective population of 464.68 million as of 2022, established the Arab Board of Health Specialization in February 1978. This visionary initiative aimed to curb the emigration of Arab physicians and address the scarcity of specialized medical practitioners in the Arab world. Since the establishment of the Internal Medicine specialty in 1979, the curriculum and examinations have undergone sustained refinement and enhancement. In a significant stride, the Arab Board established the Scientific Committee of the Rheumatology Fellowship Program on November 28, 2022. Its main goal is to ensure that graduating fellows will be of high caliber and can contribute to the care of patients with rheumatic disease in the Arab world. This editorial illustrates the historical trajectory of the Arab Board\'s evolution and chronicles the dynamic expedition of shaping the rheumatology fellowship program.

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) required that program directors receive 10-20 h/wk of protected time for program administration (including didactic teaching). In July 2022, this was reduced for all internal medicine subspecialties on the basis of program size, with 8 h/wk required for programs with fewer than seven fellows, the majority of nephrology programs.
We surveyed all 151 US adult nephrology program directors (ACGME Public List of Programs 2021-2022) to determine how much protected time they receive, how much they think is necessary, and the division of their professional time. The anonymous 20-question online survey was administered from March 31 to April 30, 2022. The analysis was descriptive.
Response rate was 66% (99 of 151). Geographic distribution and approved fellow positions were similar to programs nationally; 59% had fewer than seven approved positions. Median protected time was 10 h/wk (interquartile range, 5-10), with 8 h/wk (interquartile range, 5-10) for those with fewer than seven positions. Program directors estimated needing 12 h/wk (interquartile range, 10-16) to effectively administer programs, including those with fewer than seven positions, a median 5 h/wk (interquartile range, 0-7) more than received. Of program directors reporting <10 h/wk for program administration, 62% provided >20 hours of direct patient care. Thirty-nine percent had no protected time for core faculty. Fellow recruitment (68%) was the most time-consuming task, and didactic teaching (80%) was the most professionally rewarding.
Approximately half of the nephrology programs surveyed were not in compliance with the ACGME-stipulated 10-h/wk minimum protected time for the 2021-2022 training year. Program directors estimated a median of 12 h/wk are needed to effectively manage programs.

It is estimated that about 50% of people in low- and middle- income countries who require rehabilitation do not get it. Multidisciplinary rehabilitation services led by Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) physicians have been shown to improve functioning, independence and the quality of life of persons with reduced functioning or disability. However, there is a dearth of PRM physicians in low to middle income countries (LMICs), particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. One potential solution to this lack of specialists is the establishment of PRM training programs, which are currently lacking. The International Rehabilitation Forum (IRF) developed and implemented a fellowship program to train physicians in rehabilitation medicine and has been successful in Ghana, Ethiopia and Cameroon, all LMICs in sub-Saharan Africa. However, ongoing challenges include inadequate PRM trainers, availability of logistics and services for hands on experience, and funding. The fellowship program has a promising future and an ultimate goal of having locally trained fellows leading the program and expanding it to other LMICs. There has however been no publication of the process followed to achieve this or of a similar process undertaken anywhere in Africa. The process followed in this publication highlights the journey from engaging stakeholders to the admission of new and current fellows in training.

The dream is now real! We had started thinking of establishing \"Bariatric Anesthesia Fellowship\" (BAF) program in our setting since 2012. The reason was the increasing number of bariatric surgical cases for weight loss under general anesthesia (GA). The journey till establishing the BAF program consisted of two phases. Phase I started in 2012 to establish clinical practice guidelines (CPG) in \"Anesthesia for Patients with Morbid Obesity undergoing weight loss surgery\". Phase II started in 2015 to establish BAF program. In 2021 the first draft of BAF program was submitted to the medical education for approval. In March 2022, we got the interim approval of the program. Though the journey took sometime but ultimately it ended with success and achieving the dream. In this review, we are going to discuss a roadmap consisted of two phases in an attempt to reach our goal of establishing the BAF program.

UNASSIGNED: To evaluate the content of Pain Medicine Fellowship Program websites in the United States of America.
UNASSIGNED: We obtained a list of accredited 104 Pain Medicine Fellowship Program websites from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and the Electronic Residency Application Service. Individual Pain Medicine Fellowship Program websites were then evaluated on 14 different criteria. We grouped fellowship programs based on census region and Electronic Residency Application Service participation status, and analyzed the differences using nonparametric statistics.
UNASSIGNED: A total of 104 accredited Pain Medicine Fellowship Program websites were evaluated for a total of 14 different criteria. Of the 14 different criteria, an average of 3.94 were described in each website. Number of Fellowship positions per year (71.8%), clinical rotations during the program (65.1%), and faculty background (62.2%) were the most frequently described features on the websites. Night call responsibilities (3.9%), meal allowance (7.8%) and parking availability (10.7%) were the least described features in the websites. There were no significant differences between program websites when grouped by census regions or the participation status in the Electronic Residency Applications Service.
UNASSIGNED: The content of Pain Medicine Fellowship Program websites is extremely variable across the United States of America. This study indicates that there is room for improvement and enhancement of the comprehensiveness of website content for the majority of the programs analyzed. Additionally, this study also emphasizes the importance of having accurate and easily available online information in a post-pandemic era, when prospective fellows evaluate programs online through their websites.