For post-graduation in urology: Is a preliminary degree in general surgery necessary?

The format of urological training in India has changed little since its inception. The dogma of tradition has perhaps failed to consider the paradigm shifts in the science. A system that was relevant 50 years ago may not be so relevant today. The majority of procedures are endourological and laparoscopic, to which an average surgical resident has minimal exposure. Yet, the fundamentals of surgical craft are best learnt prior to any sub-specialty training. This is an apparent contradiction that has to be bridged if our training programs seek to be the foremost in the world. A single restructured training program that combines the core surgical curriculum to an extended exposure to the subspecialty will perhaps best address this issue.