Selecting an Endourology Society Fellowship Program: The Candidates' Perspectives

Understanding the factors that influence the decision of urology residents to pursue an Endourology Society (ES) fellowship and the criteria used by applicants to rank programs may help residents and program directors (PDs) optimize the match process. In the present study, we surveyed current ES fellows to gain better insight surrounding their decision-making process. A survey was emailed to all ES fellows, comprising Endourology and Stone Disease (ESD), Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery (MIS), and combination of ESD/MIS (COM) programs. A Likert scale ranging from 1 to 5 was used. The survey captured demographics such as geographic region, program type, duration, applicants' reasons for pursuing fellowship, criteria for ranking programs, and perceived improvements in surgical comfort levels at the end of their training. Out of the 60 fellows who were surveyed, 40 (66.7%) responded. Among the respondents, 9 (22.5%) pursued ESD, 10 (25%) pursued MIS, and 21 (52.5%) pursued COM programs. The primary reason for seeking a fellowship was to improve surgical skills while increasing earning potential and enhancing research opportunities were deemed the least important. Fellows enrolled in 1-year programs were less likely to pursue fellowships for academic reasons. The two most significant factors in selecting a program were both related to gaining operative experience. Lastly, there was an increase in the level of comfort performing all endourological surgeries independently after fellowship. ES fellowship is seen as an opportunity to hone surgical skills and increase job competitiveness. When selecting a program, operative experience is the most important factor, and fellowship improves operative confidence. The information obtained from this study may mutually help guide future applicants and PDs in the decision process of the Endourology Match.