[Residents training in private practice : Conflicts between circumstances, willingness, and reality]

The increasing average age of urologists in private practice and outpatient treatment needs means that there is an increased demand for young urologists to cover outpatient care. Due to the increasing range of treatments, residents lack the mediation of those treatment methods and medical conditions which are necessary to become competent in the complete field of urology.

To assess the willingness, the requirements, and the current implementation of residents training in private practice.

A 14-item online survey was sent to 1326 urologists in private practice to measure the willingness, the requirements, and the current implementation of residents training.

Of the 219 (17 %) respondents, 25 % have already trained residents, 41 % were authorized to provide training to residents, and 87 % have taken the appointment of a trainee into consideration. The main reason for employing a trainee was the enjoyment of the teaching experience. The main reason against employing a trainee was the lack of financial compensation.

Urologists in private practice are willing and able to participate in residents' training. An extended integration of urological training into private practice can contribute to ensure the teaching of a wide variety of diseases/procedures and influence structural changes in the field of urology. Residents, private practitioners, and clinicians should search for solutions together with those responsible in the health care system for better integration of private practice into urology residents training.