Life before and after residents: subjective reports on quality of life from urologists since inception of a new residency program

Authors

  • Gregory Roberts Department of Urology, Queens University, Kingston, ON
  • Paul Whelan Division of Urology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON
  • Anil Kapoor Division of Urology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.593

Abstract

Background: It is difficult to determine the effect of a residency
program on the life of staff urologists. The objective of this study
was to obtain subjective reports from urologists who have practiced
before and after the implementation of a training program on how
it affects their careers in 5 spheres: education, job-stress, free time,
financial life and subjective quality of life.

Methods: We asked urologists from McMaster University to complete
a questionnaire to quantify how their current experiences
have changed compared to the pre-residency program era on a
balanced 7-point scale (4 = neutral).

Results: The response rate was 100% (9/9). Eight of the 9 urologists
(89%) reported they would implement the program again
if they could rewind the clock. Eight of 9 reported their overall
career-related quality of life improved, with an average rating of
5.1 on the 7-point scale. The quality of continuing education was
the most positive ranking at 5.4 followed by job stress at 5.2. The
outcomes measured below 4 (neutral) were earning potential at
3.8 and ability to engage in pastimes at 3.4. Earning potential was
clustered tightly around neutral, with 7 of the 9 respondents reporting
no change. The largest standard deviation, corresponding to
the most disagreement, was in their ability to engage in pastimes.

Conclusion: Even with a mild decrease in earning potential and
increased job stress, McMaster urologists feel their quality of life
and continuing education have improved since the program’s
implementation; these urologists are almost uniformly happy they
started a residency teaching program at their centre.

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Author Biographies

Gregory Roberts, Department of Urology, Queens University, Kingston, ON

Paul Whelan, Division of Urology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON

Anil Kapoor, Division of Urology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON

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How to Cite

Roberts, G., Whelan, P., & Kapoor, A. (2013). Life before and after residents: subjective reports on quality of life from urologists since inception of a new residency program. Canadian Urological Association Journal, 5(2), 103–6. https://doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.593

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 2 (2011): April

Section

Original Research

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