Urology Training Across Borders: An International Survey of Residents’ Experiences, Perceptions, and Expectations
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background/Objectives: Urology residency training widely varies across countries and evidence comparing residents’ experiences at an international level are limited. This study reports the results of an international survey of urology residents from different countries worldwide, aiming to characterize training environments, educational expo-sure, and trainee expectations across diverse healthcare systems. Methods: A 39-item online survey was administered to urology residents during the SIU Regional Meeting (Florence, November 2024), assessing demographics, training exposure, educational resources, workload, satisfaction, and career perspectives. Results were compared be-tween trainees at different postgraduate year (PGY) to explore associations for key out-comes. Results: Overall, 208 urology residents from 21 countries completed the survey. Most residents were actively involved in research (76.4%), although confidence in in-dependent scientific production was moderate (significantly lower among junior trainees). Surgical exposure increased with PGY, with good experience in endoscopy but limited hands-on exposure and expected autonomy in laparoscopic, robotic, and major open surgery. Despite high overall satisfaction with urology, residents described heavy workloads, inconsistent access to structured teaching and international fellowships, and a long-term shift in career expectations toward private practice. Conclusions: Urology residents worldwide report high engagement in research, strong satisfaction with their specialty choice, and interest in international mobility. Nonetheless, persistent disparities in surgical exposure, research confidence, workload, and gender representation highlight the need for competency-based curricula, structured mentorship, and improved training organization to promote equitable and high-quality urology education globally.
DOI: 10.3390/siuj7020024
Authors: Andrea Alberti, Rossella Nicoletti, Anna L. Heinrichs, Julian P. Struck, Petros Sountoulides, Francesco Curto, Sergio Serni, George Chasiotis, Olumide Farinre, Harshit Garg, Clément Klein, Gaelle Margue, Amanda A. Myers, Nikolaos Pyrgidis, Roberto Contieri, Ioana Fugaru, Lazaros Tzelves, Alessandro Uleri, Wilbert F. Mutomba, Dimitrios Diamantidis, Jean de la Rosette, Maria Pilar Laguna, Jack M. Zuckerman, Philippe E. Spiess, Henry H. Woo, Stavros Gravas, Mauro Gacci
Institutions: Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, Fondazione Istituto G. Giglio di Cefalù, University of Florence, Universitätsklinikum Brandenburg an der Havel, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University of Thessaly, University Hospital of Larissa, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Max Healthcare, Hôpital Pellegrin, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, LMU Klinikum, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS "Fondazione G. Pascale", McGill University, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Sismanoglio General Hospital, Humanitas University, Democritus University of Thrace, Istanbul Medipol University, Bashkir State Medical University, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Moffitt Cancer Center, Blacktown & Mount Druitt Hospital, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, University of Cyprus
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7154725452