title: Current minimally invasive practice patterns among postgraduate urologists.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine laparoscopic and robotic surgical practice patterns among current postgraduate urologists.
  
  
  METHODS
  There were 9,095 electronic surveys sent to practicing urologists with e-mail addresses registered with the American Urological Association.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Responses were received from 864 (9.5%) urologists; 84% report that laparoscopic or robotic procedures are performed in their practice. The highest training obtained by the primary laparoscopist was fellowship (31%), residency (23%), or 2- to 3-day courses (22%). Eighty-six percent report performance of laparoscopic nephrectomy in their practice, and 71% consider it the standard of care. Sixty-six percent of practices have access to at least one robotic unit, and 9% plan on purchasing one within a year. Attitudes toward robotics are favorable, with 80% indicating that it will increase in volume and potential procedures. Thirty-one percent state that robot-assisted prostatectomy is standard of care, while 50% believe this procedure looks promising. Respondents think that optimal training in minimally invasive techniques is fellowships (23%), minifellowships (23%), or hands-on courses (23%). Twenty-nine percent think that they were trained adequately in laparoscopy and robotics from residency, and 62% believe residents should be able to perform most laparoscopic procedures on completion of residency.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The practice and availability of laparoscopic and robotic procedures have increased since previous evaluations. Opinions regarding these techniques are favorable and optimistic. As the field of urology continues to see a growing demand for minimally invasive procedures, training of postgraduate urologists and residents remains essential.
authors: Department of Urology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66205, USA. dduchene@kumc.edu
authors: David A
authors: DA
authors: Duchene
authors: Felipe
authors: F
authors: Rosso
authors: Ralph
authors: R
authors: Clayman
authors: Elspeth M
authors: EM
authors: McDougall
authors: Howard N
authors: HN
authors: Winfield
mesh_terms: D055011:Ablation Techniques / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003625:Data Collection; D003710:Demography; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010820:Physicians / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012371:Robotics / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*