Current status of urological training in Ibero-America

Abstract

Objective: The recently developed technological advances in urology are a challenge, both for the urologists responsible for training activities, as well as for residents. This has led to heterogeneous residency programs; in terms of training and access to these technologies, among the scientific societies of the countries that make up the American Confederation of Urology (CAU, by its Spanish initials). The aim of this study was to collect relevant information and to perform a situational analysis to promote the development of more homogeneous programs for the training of future professionals in urology. Methodology: A closed survey using the CAU EDUCACIÓN platform that included twenty-seven multiple-choice questions between September 2019 and September 2020. Results: The difference between programs was found, above all, in the duration of the residencies, accreditations, the possibility of publication in scientific journals, training modalities, access to technology and subsequent job opportunities. Limitations: The main limitation was the number of participants, which was much lower than the total number of active residents. Despite this, the number of participating countries, the distribution, and the results obtained, allowed us to assess the current training of CAU residents. Conclusion: It is important to gain more insight about residencies in Ibero-America, to establish a specific and uniform plan to ensure proper training, regardless of the unit in which the residency occurs.