Urology
A Career In Urology
Ever considered a career in Urology?
Urology has become a sought after speciality in the past few years. Almost neglected in the medical school curriculum and barely covered during the clinical attachments, very few students know what Urologists do! The revival of interest in this satisfying branch of surgery is a great credit to the hard work of the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS), the national body that oversees training and implementation of Urological services in the UK.
Training pathways (or 'How do I become a Urologist?')
A career in Urology begins after completion of the Foundation Year 2 (FY2) job. Urology is the first speciality to embrace the concept of Modernising Medical Careers (MMC) and already has a structured training programme in place. Trainees enter this 'run through' 5-year programme through a competitive entry process. This is likely to be after a generic surgical training year called 'ST1', although, in rarer cases, trainees may be able to enter the 'Uro1' year from other routes (see diagram). The first 'proper' Urology year (Uro1) is likely to consist of 3x 4-month blocks in different units. There is likely to be an exam at the end of this year, the passing of which will be essential for continuing Urological training.
The curriculum for this 5-year run-through grade has been drawn up so as to offer the best possible training. The trainee is assessed in a pre-structured evaluation scheme and will obtain a Certificate of Completion of their Training in Urology (CCT). The intention is to produce a Consultant Urologist who will have the core knowledge and skills required to provide a service in basic Urology. It is envisaged that this will be equivalent to the role of 'Office Urologists' in place in the USA. The Consultant Urologist will undertake straightforward Endo-Urological and open surgical procedures and provide a safe emergency Urology cover.
Those trainees who wish to undertake sub-speciality training and become 'specialists' (Consultant Urological Surgeons) in the advanced aspects of Urology (such as Oncological Urological Surgery, complex Endo-Urology, Incontinence surgery or Andrology) will have to enter a further 2 - 3 years of higher training. This again, will be after a competitive interview.
The philosophy is to have fewer specialist Consultant Urological Surgeons in the future who will undertake complex surgery in large centres supported by the Consultant Urologists.
So...
Urology is an exciting branch of surgery. It offers a wide spectrum from medical management of Urological diseases such as Erectile Dysfunction to complex major operations such as cystectomy or removal of advanced renal tumours that have spread into the vena cava. It would be possible to proceed from the basic grade to the sub-specialist position if one chooses to do so. Advances in therapeutics as well as equipment such as endoscopes have kept Urology in the forefront of all surgical specialities. It is a rewarding branch of medicine which will always be in need as the aging population will always need a Urologist at some point in time!
How do I find out more about the specialty?
For further information and details, take a look at the BAUS website to find out more:
>British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS)
Mr Ravi Kulkarni
Consultant Urological Surgeon
Ashford & St Peter's Hospitals
Last updated 10/01/07
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