Urology fellowship programs, such as endourology, urologic oncology, and pediatric urology, enable fellows to enhance their diagnostic and management skills in various urological conditions. Through mentorship, fellows are introduced to complex surgical procedures and challenging scenarios, which boosts their confidence and expertise. This mentorship aids in personal development, equipping them to be future mentors.
As trainees complete their residency or fellowship, mentors become crucial in guiding them toward appropriate roles in either community-based or academic settings. The mentor-mentee relationship, a cornerstone of the learning process, highlights the necessity of choosing mentors who provide reliable support and guidance. This study analyses program directors' attributes in Endourological Society-accredited urology fellowship programs.
Methods: The Endourological Society's website was used to identify program directors (PDs). Collected data included their medical school graduation year, residency completion year, fellowship participation, additional academic degrees, and publication records on Scopus, analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results: The study identified 84 fellowship programs and 115 PDs. Geographical distribution was predominantly in North America (77.4%), followed by Asia and the Middle East (each 8.3%), Europe (3.6%), and South America (2.4%). The gender disparity was evident, with 94.8% male PDs and only 5.2% female. Most PDs graduated around 1998, and 80% had completed fellowship programs. Female PDs were more likely to have participated in fellowship programs (83%) and graduated more recently from medical school and residency than their male counterparts.
Discussion: This study presents a comprehensive analysis of program directors in Endourological Society-accredited programs, underscoring significant gender imbalances and regional differences in qualifications and experiences. These findings can aid institutions in improving endourology programs and serve as a standard for the Endourological Society's accreditation.
The study suggests a need for improvement in healthcare, particularly in patient care and medical services. Addressing the urology workforce shortage and gender disparity is crucial. Hospitals and institutions should strive for gender equality in senior urology roles. Advocacy for an inclusive environment in urology, enhanced mentorship, and career development for women in the field are recommended. Furthermore, encouraging women to take on surgical leadership roles provides role models and promotes gender equity. Future measures might include diversity quotas for fair gender representation in training and leadership and enhancing mentorship and learning opportunities.
Written by: Laith Baqain,1 Rakan AlMajali,1 Narmina Khanmammadova,2 Ryan W. Dobbs, MD,3 Tuan Thanh Nguyen,4,5 Michelle Jo Semins, MD,6 Timothy D. Averch, MD,7 David I. Lee, MD,8 Mohammed Shahait, MBBS9
- The University of Jordan, Faculty of Medicine, Amman, Jordan
- University of California Irvine Medical Center, Urology, Orange, California, USA
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- University of Medicine and Pharmacy Ho Chi Minh City Faculty of Medicine, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
- University of California Irvine, Urology, Irvine, USA
- University of Pittsburgh, Urology, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Prisma Health Midlands, Dept. of Surgery; Division of Urology, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
- University of California Irvine, Urology, Irvine, California, USA
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA