THE CONTRIBUTION OF RESEARCH TO UROLOGICAL TRAINING IN THE UNITED-KINGDOM

Objectives To report the findings of a questionnaire survey among cons ultant urologists in the United Kingdom (UK) designed to examine their personal experience of research and their opinion of its contribution in urological training.Methods A questionnaire was sent to 205 consul tant urologists in the UK and 154 (75%) replied. Their replies were ex amined to ascertain the time spent in research, the production of publ ications, presentations and in gaining a higher university degree. Sub sequent research activity was also related to the achievement of these endpoints. Results Among the 154 consultant urologists who replied, 1 30 (84%) had undertaken research during their training, for a period v arying from 6 months to more than 2 years, Among the 130, 99 (76%) con sidered this to have been well spent; 76 (58%) obtained a higher degre e, 86 (66%) achieved at least three publications in peer-reviewed jour nals and 90 (69%) had given at least five presentations to learned soc ieties. Inadequate supervision in particular was cited as contributing to underachievement and motivation was also considered important to s uccess. Conclusions The contribution of research in urological trainin g has been assessed traditionally by the presentation of a thesis to a university for a higher degree, but alternative methods of assessment should perhaps be sought for those wishing to spend less than 18 mont hs in research.