title: Current and future need for academic urologists in the United States.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We assessed the need for academic urologists in 2010 and for the following 5 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  An 8-question survey was emailed to the 115 accredited academic urology residency programs recognized by the American Urological Association. Questions were related to the anticipated number of hires during the next 5 years, ideal minimum level of training, areas of expertise needed, current top need and allotted research time.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 115 chairs or division heads 91 (79%) responded to the survey. Of all chairs 71% (65 of 91) expect to hire 2 to 4 physicians in the next 5 years. In total 91 chairs will be attempting to fill 292 openings. When carried out to 115 chairs, there will be 369 openings in the next 5 years (or 74 per year). The ideal minimum level of training was cited as clinical/research fellowship (37.1%), clinical fellowship (33.6%) and residency (10.5%). Areas of expertise needed most from each respective program include female urology/neurourology (51.7%), oncology (44.8%), and pediatrics and general urology (36.8%). The current top needs for respective programs include pediatrics 23.3%, female urology/neurourology 21.1% and oncology 18.9%. Of the chairs and division heads currently attempting to fill positions 53.5% have been searching for 2 or more years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There will be a tremendous need for academic urologists in the next 5 years. This need is thought to be due to an increased number of physicians retiring and decreased level of compensation compared to private practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1089, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Lightfoot
authors.forename: Henry M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Rosevear
authors.forename: William D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Steers
authors.forename: Chad R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Tracy
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D005180:Faculty, Medical; D005544:Forecasting; D014481:United States; D014572:Urology; D000078329:Workforce