Elsevier

Urology

Volume 146, December 2020, Pages 36-42
Urology

Education
Capturing the Perspective of Prospective Urology Applicants: Impacts of COVID-19 on Medical Education

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.urology.2020.09.027Get rights and content

Abstract

Objective

To capture the perspective of prospective urology applicants experiencing unique challenges in the context of COVID-19.

Methods

A voluntary, anonymous survey was distributed online, assessing the impact of COVID-19 on a large sample of US medical students planning to apply to urology residencies. Themes of (1) specialty discernment, (2) alterations to medical education, and (3) the residency application process were explored.

Results

A total of 238 medical students, 87% third and fourth years, responded to the survey. While 85% indicated that the pandemic had not deterred their specialty choice, they noted substantial impacts on education, including 82% reporting decreased exposure to urology. Nearly half of students reported changes to required rotations and 35% reported changes to urology-specific rotations at their home institutions. Students shared concerns about suspending in-person experiences, including the impact on letters of recommendation (68% “very concerned) and program choice (73% “very concerned”). Looking to the possibility of virtual interactions, students identified the importance of small group and one-on-one communication with residents (83% “very important”) and opportunities to learn about hospital facilities (72% “very important”).

Conclusion

Despite the impacts of COVID-19 on medical education, prospective urology applicants appear to remain confident in their specialty choice. Students’ biggest concerns involve disruption of away rotations, including impacts on obtaining letters of recommendation and choosing a residency program.

Cited by (0)

This work was initially gathered to inform the Society of Academic Urologists (SAU) Executive Committee as they made decisions related to alterations in external rotations, recruitment, interviews, and the residency match process for this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was also used by several of the Virtual Sub-Internships in Urology SAU Working Groups to help create a guidebook.

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