Support for the Struggling Learner in Urology

Supporting struggling urology residents is an important yet challenging task. We describe strategies to assess resident performance, challenges in the clinical learning environment that contribute to resident remediation, and support mechanisms. This review highlights existing resources for positive outcomes in remediation and promotes exploration of innovative strategies to support future urology residents.

Burnout is associated with poor resident performance. Factors that promote burnout include unsatisfactory work-life balance, education or financial debt, access to mental health care, and identifying as a member of an underrepresented group. Competency-based assessment and tailored educational interventions can effectively address the needs of a struggling learner. Efforts to create standardized language, specialty-specific remediation programs, and robust mentorship infrastructure have been successful in other specialties. Study of interventions and outcomes for struggling urology residents is somewhat limited; deeper understanding of prevailing remediations practices and individual needs of struggling residents will be critical to develop more robust support for trainees.