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UPJ INSIGHT Factors Influencing Medical Students’ Pursuit of Urology: Results From the AUA Census (2019-2021)
By: Noah Hawks-Ladds, BA, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York; Kevin Labagnara, MD, Northwell Health, New Hyde Park, New York; William Meeks, MA, American Urological Association, Linthicum, Maryland; Amanda North, MD, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York; Alexander Small, MD, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York | Posted on: 19 Jan 2024
Hawks-Ladds N, Labagnara K, Meeks W, North A, Small A. Factors Influencing Medical Students’ Pursuit of Urology: Results From the AUA Census (2019-2021). Urol Pract. 2024;11(1):198-205.
Study Need and Importance
The changing landscape of medical education coupled with a growing interest in urology calls for a refreshed look at medical students’ interests and concerns regarding urology as a career choice. Factors affecting the appeal of urology, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the unique challenges faced by underrepresented students, need to be examined. This study aims to provide medical students, mentors and residency programs with insights to foster interest in urology and improve recruitment of the next generation of urologists.
What We Found
We surveyed 149 medical students between 2019 and 2021 through the AUA Annual Census. We found that surgical procedures, lifestyle, and cutting-edge technology were the most common reasons for interest in urology; however there were changes from 2019 pre-COVID to 2020-2021 during COVID (Table). Some concerns about urology included the increasing competitiveness in the field and lifestyle considerations. Notably, female and underrepresented students expressed concern related to the combined aspect of gender discrimination and/or the lack of existing diversity in urology.
Table. Factors and Their Level of Importance in Deciding to Apply Into Urology by COVID Status
| All | Pre-COVID | COVID | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | 149 | 78 | 71 | |
| Reasons for selecting urology (all that apply), No. (column %) | ||||
| Surgical procedures | 138 (92.6) | 68 (87.2) | 70 (98.6) | .008 |
| Good lifestyle among surgical careers | 126 (84.6) | 63 (80.8) | 63 (88.7) | .18 |
| Working with patients | 125 (83.9) | 63 (80.8) | 62 (87.3) | .28 |
| Cutting-edge technology | 121 (81.2) | 57 (73.1) | 64 (90.1) | .008 |
| Work-life balance | 119 (79.9) | 61 (78.2) | 58 (81.7) | .60 |
| High salary potential | 102 (68.5) | 52 (66.7) | 50 (70.4) | .62 |
| Urologic research opportunities | 83 (55.7) | 42 (53.8) | 41 (57.7) | .63 |
| Urology fellowships | 59 (39.6) | 28 (35.9) | 31 (43.7) | .33 |
Limitations
Sample sizes were relatively small during the COVID years (2020 and 2021), survey responses relied on self-reporting, and our study likely did not capture the perspectives of nontraditional (eg, older) medical students or non-AUA members.
Interpretation for Patient Care
We anticipate that a better understanding of medical students’ preferences and concerns will unveil strategies for mentors and residency programs to attract a more diverse and inclusive cohort of medical students to the field of urology. Ultimately, a more inclusive urology workforce has the potential to enhance patient-centered care and lead to improved patient outcomes.
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