Data from: Graduate health professions education programs as they choose to represent themselves: A website review

Introduction: In an age of increasingly face-to-face, blended, and online
Health Professions Education, students have more selections of where they
will receive a degree. For an applicant, oftentimes, the first step is to
learn more about a program through its website. Websites allow programs to
convey their unique voice and to share their mission and values with
others, such as applicants, researchers, and academics. Additionally, as
the number of Health Professions Education programs rapidly grows,
websites can share the priorities of these programs.  Methods: In
this study, we conducted a website review of 158 Health Professions
Education websites to explore their geographical distributions, missions,
educational concentrations, and various programmatic components. Results:
We compiled this information and synthesized pertinent aspects, such as
program similarities and differences, or highlighted the omission of
critical data. Conclusion: Given that websites are often the first point
of contact for prospective applicants, curious collaborators, and
potential faculty, the digital image of HPE programs matters. We believe
our findings demonstrate opportunities for growth within institutions and
assist the field in identifying the priorities of HPE programs. As
programs begin to shape their websites with more intentionality, they can
reflect their relative divergence/convergence compared to other programs
as they see fit and, therefore, attract individuals to best match this
identity. Periodic reviews of the breadth of programs, such as those
undergone here, are necessary to capture diversifying goals, and serve to
help advance the field of Health Professions Education as a whole.