Evaluate the evaluation: Current knowledge and utilization of the SBI fellow evaluation form.

Objective

The SBI Fellowship Match Committee (FMC) developed the first standardized evaluation form for assessing breast imaging fellows, notifying 197 program directors (PDs) and coordinators via email on 2/23/2023. The form remained accessible on the SBI website. Approximately 18 months after distribution, the FMC investigated PDs' knowledge and utilization of the form.

Methods

A link to an online questionnaire including 14 multiple choice and free text questions was emailed by the SBI to 107 PDs listed in the SBI directory. The initial emails were sent on 8/21/24 with subsequent reminder emails sent on 9/6/24, also including 106 program coordinators. Final reminder emails were sent on 9/18/24.

Results

The evaluation was distributed to 107 PDs. There was a response rate of 78% (83/107). Overall, 57% (47/83) respondents were aware that the form existed, and 13 respondents utilized the form. Of those, 69% (9/13) and 77% (10/13) of respondents believed it had a positive impact on the fellows' diagnostic and procedural skills, respectively. Of those who did not use the form, reasons for non-utilization were led by the requirement to use an institutional form (60%, 9/15) followed by equal numbers attributing the length of the form (20%, 3/15) and lack of awareness that the evaluation form existed (20%, 3/15).

Conclusion

The form has improved important aspects of fellowship training. Increasing awareness may encourage more PDs who do not have required institutional forms to utilize this form. An updated, shorter version may also increase utilization.