GREECE




General Information - Demographics

Greece has a population of 10.9 million inhabitants and is a member of the European Union (EU) and the European Board of Urology (EBU). 94 Urological Departments and 33 teaching units are operating all over the country. There are 643 Urologists (1 urologist per 16,951 inhabitants) and 162 Residents (1 resident per approx. 4 urologists). 

National Urological Society & Residents Organization

Title Hellenic Urological Association (HUA) / Ελληνική Ουρολογική Εταιρεία (EOE) Residents' Section of HUA / Τμήμα Ειδικευομένων EOE
President Prof. Constantine Dimopoulos to be elected
URL http://www.huanet.gr http://www.huanet.gr/gr/idik.htm and http://www.urology.gr/esru 
Email address webmaster@huanet.gr  esru@urology.gr
Members 643 full + 162 junior 162

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Urological training

In Greece, a graduate Medical Doctor after 15 months of community health-service may opt to specialize in Urology. A 5-year staged training program is offered:
- 1 year basic surgical training in General Surgery (common trunk)
- 3 years Urology
- 1 year divided in two of the following specialties (on rotation): Gynecology, Plastic Surgery, Pediatric Surgery and Pediatric Urology.
The training program of Urologists should encompass their practice in diagnosis and treatment in urinary incontinence and urodynamics, pediatric urology, andrology and infertility, urologic oncology, trauma, urolithiasis, renal transplantation and urogenital endocrinology, laparoscopic urology, use of ultrasounds and laser energy.
Physician training in Urology is conducted in training-centers validated and accredited by the Central Health Council (CHC), an advisory body to the Minister of Health and Welfare. There is a fixed number of posts per training-center, which is defined by the CHC. Vacancies are filled through a selection procedure conducted by the local Prefectural Health Directorates. Candidates for a specific training-center are registered in a waiting list and are being selected on a first-come first-hire basis. Waiting time may vary considerably among training-centers and in the some cases is over 2 years (may extend up to 5 years at present time). Specialty is awarded upon successful completion of residency training, following an oral examination before a scientific committee. Log-book of performed operations is taken into consideration. A large percentage of residents and young urologists participate the EBU examination in Urology, encouraged accordingly by the National Association.

Career prospects

Urological "inflation" and its consequences is a reality and competition in the profession is very strong. Upon finishing residency training, young urologists usually work as office urologists, or staff public or private health trusts. It is also possible to occupy hospital positions (mainly in smaller cities) or get an academic appointment. The National Urological Association of Greece has adopted a CME credit system, collaborates with both the EBU and the EAU and promotes their initiatives. The Ministry of Health is currently reassessing residency training and in the years to come important changes are anticipated.

Fellowship - Research Opportunities

Urological Departments in a number of Academic Institutions are engaged in R & D initiatives, some of which are sponsored by EU funds. To find out more, you may visit www.urology.gr/esru .

National links

This page was last updated: 11-04-04
European Society of Residents in Urology