Perception, career choice and self-efficacy of UK medical students and junior doctors in urology

Authors

  • Patrick Jones Dept of Urology, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee
  • Bhavan Prasad Rai Dept of Urology, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee
  • Hasan A.R. Qazi Dept of Urology, Gartnavel General Hospital, Glasgow
  • Bhaskar K. Somani Dept of Urology, University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust, Southampton
  • Ghulam Nabi Dept of Urology, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.2919

Keywords:

Career choice, urology, social media, education

Abstract

Introduction: There is a growing concern about the reduced clinical exposure to urology at undergraduate level in the United Kingdom. As a consequence, the competencies of junior doctors are considered inadequate. The views of these doctors in training towards urology remain under reported.

Methods: A modified Delphi method was employed to construct a questionnaire. Given the rise of social media as a platform for scientific discussion, participants were recruited via a social networking site. Outcomes assessed included career preference, exposure to urology, perceived male dominance, and confidence at core procedures.

Results: In total, 412 and 66 responses were collected from medical students and junior doctors, respectively. Overall, 41% of participants felt that they had received a good level of clinical exposure to urology as part of their training and 15% were considering a career in this speciality. Female students were significantly less likely to consider urology as a career option (p < 0.01). Of these, 37% of the students felt confident at male catheterization and 46% of students regarded urology as a male-dominated speciality.

Conclusions: Urology is perceived as male dominated and is the least likely surgical speciality to be pursued as a career option according to our survey. Increased exposure to urology at the undergraduate level and dedicated workshops for core urological procedures are needed to address these challenges.

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Published

2015-09-09

How to Cite

Jones, P., Rai, B. P., Qazi, H. A., Somani, B. K., & Nabi, G. (2015). Perception, career choice and self-efficacy of UK medical students and junior doctors in urology. Canadian Urological Association Journal, 9(9-10), E573–8. https://doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.2919

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 9-10 (2015): CUAJ September

Section

Original Research

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