A survey of urological manpower, technology, and resources in Canada.
BACKGROUND
Knowledge of the current status of manpower and resources is important in understanding the state of any medical specialty, and critical in planning for future recruitment, funding and infrastructure development.


METHODS
In 2003, the Canadian Urological Association (CUA) conducted two nationwide surveys examining manpower, resources, and the technology available. One survey went only to academic and hospital leaders across the country (the resources survey), while the other was sent to the entire general membership of the CUA.


RESULTS
The response rate for the resources survey was 67%, while that for the membership survey was 50.4%. The respondents' ages were evenly distributed, with the modal 5-year range being 51 to 55 years of age. Eighty-eight percent of respondents were Canadian-trained. Two-thirds of respondents spent over 80% of their practice time in direct patient care, and most practiced general urology. The majority of respondents practiced in smaller hospitals: 57.6% in centres with 300 or fewer inpatient beds, and 47.2% of centres reported < 500 procedures/year. Community hospitals (62% of responses to the resources survey) generally had fewer advanced technologies than academic centres. A quarter of the cystoscopy equipment used by respondents was over 15 years old.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of these surveys present a snapshot of the current state of urology resources and manpower across Canada, potentially allowing better planning and negotiations with hospitals and governments.
Pommerville
Peter
P
Vancouver Island Health Authority, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Goldenberg
S Larry
SL
Wilson
James W L
JW
Fradet
Yves
Y
Corcos
Jacques
J
Morris
Brian A P
BA
D020811:Biomedical Technology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006295:Health Resources / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014572:Urology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000078329:Workforce