OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of a practical introduction to urology session on the recruitment of Parisian interns since introduction of the National Classifying Examination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Since 2004, all surgery interns appointed in Paris have participated in a practical introduction to urology session before starting work in hospital. They were asked to complete a questionnaire. The prospective survey studied: age, gender, urology training as a medical student and the intern's preferences in relation to 11 surgical specialties. Interns were recontacted annually to determine their choice of specialization. RESULTS: Population. 255 interns participated, including 145 females (56.9%) and 110 males (43.1%). The mean age was 24.6 +/- 5 years (range: 22-31). 173 interns were attached to a Parisian teaching hospital (67.8%) and 82 (32.2%) were attached to a provincial teaching hospital. 52 interns (21.2%) had completed at least one attachment in a urology department during their medical training. Surgical specialties. Orthopaedics was most frequently listed (n = 48 ; 28.9%). Urology was chosen by 32 interns (12.5%), 28 of whom had completed an urology attachment during their medical training. At the end of the introductory training sessions, 18 interns were tempted by urology. At one year, 31/34 interns (91.2%) confirmed their choice in favour of urology. CONCLUSION: A practical training sessions very early in the training of young surgeons is a good solution to introduce them to urology. Based on a more informed choice, the most motivated interns are encouraged to preferentially choose this discipline.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of a practical introduction to urology session on the recruitment of Parisian interns since introduction of the National Classifying Examination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Since 2004, all surgery interns appointed in Paris have participated in a practical introduction to urology session before starting work in hospital. They were asked to complete a questionnaire. The prospective survey studied: age, gender, urology training as a medical student and the intern's preferences in relation to 11 surgical specialties. Interns were recontacted annually to determine their choice of specialization. RESULTS: Population. 255 interns participated, including 145 females (56.9%) and 110 males (43.1%). The mean age was 24.6 +/- 5 years (range: 22-31). 173 interns were attached to a Parisian teaching hospital (67.8%) and 82 (32.2%) were attached to a provincial teaching hospital. 52 interns (21.2%) had completed at least one attachment in a urology department during their medical training. Surgical specialties. Orthopaedics was most frequently listed (n = 48 ; 28.9%). Urology was chosen by 32 interns (12.5%), 28 of whom had completed an urology attachment during their medical training. At the end of the introductory training sessions, 18 interns were tempted by urology. At one year, 31/34 interns (91.2%) confirmed their choice in favour of urology. CONCLUSION: A practical training sessions very early in the training of young surgeons is a good solution to introduce them to urology. Based on a more informed choice, the most motivated interns are encouraged to preferentially choose this discipline.