Charles C Peyton1, Gopal H Badlani2. 1. Department of Urology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC. Electronic address: cpeyton@wakehealth.edu. 2. Department of Urology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To gauge the importance of dedicated research time during urology residency and how this influences rank-list preferences when applying for residency. METHODS: An American Urological Association survey was emailed to US resident members. The online form consisted of 14 questions addressing demographics, career plans, and training program characteristics. Two additional Likert-scale question series evaluated rank-list preferences and the value of dedicated research time during residency. RESULTS: A total of 263 of 956 urology residents (27.5%) responded to the survey. More than 70% responders valued the opportunity to be involved with scholarly research and agreed that doing so will enhance their education and/or training. About 88.2% interviewed with at least 1 program with a dedicated research year. About 33.5% preferred or were indifferent to applying to 6-year programs with dedicated research time vs a traditional 5-year program. About 76.4% residents preferred doing an extra year of research in fellowship as opposed to residency. CONCLUSION: Dedicated research time is one of many components influencing rank-list preference. Residents value the opportunity to participate in research, but there is limited interest in an additional year during residency. However, one-third of applicants favor or are willing to accept an additional year of research in urology residency.
OBJECTIVE: To gauge the importance of dedicated research time during urology residency and how this influences rank-list preferences when applying for residency. METHODS: An American Urological Association survey was emailed to US resident members. The online form consisted of 14 questions addressing demographics, career plans, and training program characteristics. Two additional Likert-scale question series evaluated rank-list preferences and the value of dedicated research time during residency. RESULTS: A total of 263 of 956 urology residents (27.5%) responded to the survey. More than 70% responders valued the opportunity to be involved with scholarly research and agreed that doing so will enhance their education and/or training. About 88.2% interviewed with at least 1 program with a dedicated research year. About 33.5% preferred or were indifferent to applying to 6-year programs with dedicated research time vs a traditional 5-year program. About 76.4% residents preferred doing an extra year of research in fellowship as opposed to residency. CONCLUSION: Dedicated research time is one of many components influencing rank-list preference. Residents value the opportunity to participate in research, but there is limited interest in an additional year during residency. However, one-third of applicants favor or are willing to accept an additional year of research in urology residency.