Expansion of Urology Residency Training Programs Has Not Had a Negative Impact on Trainee Case Log Experience

Abstract

Background: The expansion of urology residency programs is necessary to offset the projected workforce shortage. However, this expansion must occur without compromising the current trainee environment. To date, there is limited information on how the growth of urology residency programs has affected resident operative experience. Objective: We examined the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Case Log Graduate Statistics National Report for Urology from 2016 to 2021 to determine changes in the number and types of cases that graduating residents performed. Methods: The Urology ACGME Case Log Graduate Statistics National Report for the academic years 2015 to 2016 to 2020 to 2021 were analyzed. Data were grouped into 6 major categories: general, endourology, reconstructive, oncology, pediatrics, and laparoscopic/robotic. Results: There was an increase in the average total cases logged by graduating urology residents from 1449.3 to 1569.4 cases per resident (P < .0001). The average number of general urology procedures increased (P = .0071). There was also an increase in the average number of reconstructive (P = .0470), oncology (P = .0215), and laparoscopic/robotic (P ≤ .0001) cases performed by graduating urology residents. There was no difference in the average number of endourology cases completed by graduating residents (P = .0918). There was a significant decrease in the average number of pediatric cases performed by graduating residents (P = .0002). Conclusion: The expansion of urology programs and trainee positions has not negatively affected the average operative case log experience of residents between the 2015 to 2016 and 2020 to 2021 academic years.