title: Pediatric urology fellowship training: are we teaching what they need to learn?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Pediatric urology training has traditionally been based on an apprenticeship model. As part of our curriculum re-development, we surveyed recent graduates (2007-2009) regarding the teaching of clinical/surgical skills and medical knowledge during their training.
  
  
  METHODS
  44 pediatric urologists who completed 2 years of ACGME (Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education)-accredited programs and had been practicing for at least 18 months were anonymously surveyed. An IRB-approved survey was developed by a team of educators at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Bloomberg School of Public Health.
  
  
  RESULTS
  31 of 44 responded to 100% of the questions; 90% of the respondents felt their fellowship successfully prepared them for discussing surgical options and performing the procedures that they are now doing; 74% felt well trained to manage perioperative complications and 65% felt well trained to manage non-surgical problems. Faculty feedback/supervision, independent reading, and conferences were rated as a very effective method of teaching (87%). Top three procedures they wished they had learned: laparoscopic/robotic surgery, hypospadias repair, and augmentation/Mitrofanoff. Top three non-surgical topics: urinary tract infection, voiding dysfunction, and billing/coding.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is reassuring that ACGME fellowship-trained pediatric urologists feel prepared in commonly performed procedures and perioperative care. Faculty supervision/feedback is highly valued.
authors.affiliation: Urology, Division of Pediatric Urology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, Marburg 149, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. mwang33@jhmi.edu
authors.forename: Ming-Hsien
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Belinda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kern
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gearhart
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D005257:Fellowships and Scholarships; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014572:Urology / Q000193:education*