title: Leadership in Canadian urology: what is the right stuff?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are little data characterizing leadership roles within Canadian Urology. The importance of these positions in urology underscores the need for further investigation to provide insight for recruitment, development, and success.
  
  
  METHODS
  All Canadian Urology Program Directors and Division/Department Heads were invited to complete an online leadership survey as part of a larger national cohort from 11 other surgical specialties.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Response rate was 62% (13/21), the majority of whom were Caucasian (77%) and male (92%). Only 8% of respondents in urology hold an advanced degree compared with 45% in other specialties. Additional leadership training was done by 54% of the respondents. Residency was completed in Canada by 92%, but 62% completed fellowships abroad. A majority reported no well-defined job description for their role (54%). The top responsibility reported by leaders was mentoring residents (67%), followed by advising staff (62%). Excellence in patient care and teaching were seen as the most important professional characteristics, whereas integrity was the personal quality felt most important. Leaders reported 17% of their income came from their leadership role, equivalent to the time required for position duties (19%). "Time management" was listed as the greatest challenge faced (54%). Leadership style was reported as "democratic" by 92%. Leaders in urology most often self-rated their leadership skills lower than leaders from other surgical specialties (7 vs 8/10).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Positions of leadership in urology are disproportionately represented by Caucasian males and comparatively few hold relevant advanced degrees. Excellence in the areas of teaching and patient care, and high personal integrity are felt to be the most important characteristics for success. Time management issues are viewed as the greatest challenge. These preliminary data may prove useful for the mentoring, recruitment, and success of future leaders in our specialty.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urologic Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Macneily
authors.forename: Kourosh
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Afshar
authors.forename: Colin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McInnes
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lennox
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Carr
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Skarlicki
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Masterson
authors.forename: Jugpal
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arneja
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010551:Personality; D011361:Professional Competence; D017748:Time Management; D014572:Urology / Q000193:education*
keywords: Interpersonal and Communication Skills, Practice-Based Learning and Improvement; Professionalism; leadership; surgical; urological