[How can young academics be recruited? Acceptance and effects of urological practice-oriented training]

There is an increasing lack of young doctors in German hospitals, including urology departments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefit of urology practice-oriented courses for German students in a skills laboratory with respect to acceptance, learning success and enthusiasm of the students for urology.

Transurethral catheterization, digital rectal examination and kidney/bladder sonography were trained in the urology course. Using a 12-point questionnaire, acceptance and quality of the training were evaluated. Learning success was checked using a urological OSCE-station (Objective Structured Clinical Examination). Additionally, participants were questioned on interest in urology and the consideration of future work in the field (medical elective or practical year).

A total of 147 questionnaires from 190 participating students were suitable for analysis. Acceptance and quality of training were highly ranked accompanied by a very satisfying objective and subjective learning success. Interest for urology was stimulated in 98.4 % and future work in urology was imaginable for 60.4 % of the students.

Practice-oriented urology student courses show high acceptance, high learning success and increase of attractiveness of urology. The training of urological skills represents a sufficient tool to entice students for urology and is helpful in enhancing the future of urology.