Prospective evaluation of the effects of a practical introduction to urology session on the recruitment of urology intern in Paris :: final results

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.