The value of residency program characteristics changes throughout urology training.
John R Heard1, Karl-Ray Jeune2, John M Masterson1
1Department of Urology, Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA.
The Canadian Journal of Urology
|December 17, 2023
Summary
Medical students and urology residents prioritize resident experience, geography, and clinical training. As trainees advance, they value faculty interaction and advanced practice provider support more, guiding program recruitment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Surgical Training
- Urology Residency
Background:
- Understanding resident and medical student preferences is crucial for urology program recruitment.
- Identifying key factors influencing trainee decisions aids program development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the most valued characteristics of urology residency programs by medical students and residents.
- To analyze how these preferences evolve during urology training.
Main Methods:
- A survey was distributed to urology residents and interested medical students.
- Respondents ranked the importance of six categories of residency program characteristics.
- Demographic data and future career plans were collected.
Main Results:
- Resident experience, geography, and clinical experience were top-ranked characteristics.
- Medical students prioritized clinic experience and mentorship; residents valued faculty interaction and APP support.
- Academic-track trainees emphasized research and diversity more than private practice-track trainees.
Conclusions:
- Urology trainees largely agree on program characteristic importance, with some shifts during training.
- Trainees value informal faculty relationships and surgical training support (e.g., APPs) as they progress.
- Findings can inform urology programs on effective recruitment messaging and website content.
