Recruitment in urology: a national survey in the UK

Urology is one of the most common specialties chosen by surgical trainees. This study set out to determine what factors influence the decision in pursuing a career in urology as opposed to other surgical specialties.

A questionnaire was mailed to 844 urologists of various career levels within the UK. Subjects were asked to document the top three factors that influenced their choice of urology as a career. Specifically, they were asked whether their undergraduate teaching was an influence.

Completed surveys were received from 362 respondents. Less than one-third of the respondents were influenced by their undergraduate urology exposure. The top five reasons cited for pursing a career in urology were: (i) a positive role model; (ii) postgraduate urology experience; (iii) the wide variety of procedures encompassing open and endoscopic work; (iv) the lifestyle; and (v) the pleasant personalities of urologists when compared with other specialties.

This is the first study if its kind to establish the factors influencing career choices. As urology continues to be eroded from undergraduate curricula, the data support the view that undergraduate urology exposure is not the most influential factor.