We need both science and medicine to progress in urology.1.) "The Resident Corner" in the EUT
2.) EUSP Reports
3.) European Tour of Residencies
"The Resident Corner" in the EUT
Since 2005 There is a new sub section in European Urology Today ® (EUT) dedicated to residents: the Resident Corner were you can find many information concerning ESRU and Residents in Urology in Europe.
You will find here online issues of EUT.
2006. Dec.
2006. Oct.
2006. Aug.
2006. May
2006. March
2005. Dec.
2005. Oct.
2005. June
You can contact
Stina Erikson, the section editor of the resident corner if you wish to
publish an article concerning residents in Europe. Articles that could not be published on EUT will be on this webpage.
Are encourraged :
You will find below reports and comments from residents who have travelled through Europe to visit another Department in Urology or Research Laboratory to complete their training or to do research, with the help of EUSP grants from the European Associaiton of Urology.
These reports will permit to other residents to have an idea where to go according to their projects.
If you have want to publish your ouwn report or experience, please send it to the EUT Editor with a picture of you so we can publish it. Some reports will also be published in European Urology Today.
We need both science and medicine to progress in urology.Dr. Ivanovski Ognen, Skopje, NCO of Macedonia
Trainee urologists need to have a better understanding of the scientific basis of the specialty, the importance of laboratory research and the use of research methods and how to apply them to clinical research studies. However, with the need for quick medical solutions, there is little space for residents to get to the scientific root of their patients' diseases once their training is over. Vice versa, although science informs medicine, diseases can also inform us of basic mechanisms which ultimately lead to new therapies. With this in mind, I believe that there needs to be a clearer training structure for urologists involved in research.
Believing that science and medicine are inextricably linked, I took the opportunity and started working on a research project at the INSERM Unit 507, at Necker hospital in Paris , France . At that time, it was a great honour and a privilege for me to work under supervision of two excellent doctors and scientists: Professor Tilman Drueke and Professor Ziad Massy that later became my mentors. I was immediately attracted by the idea of using genetically modified mouse models to answer questions about human biology and the processes responsible for disease. I could also see the possibility of applying the results in the form of therapy for our patients. Soon thereafter, I have obtained a master degree at the University Pierre and Marie Curie (Paris VI) and have enrolled in PhD program at the same university that I have to finish at the end of 2005. While working for my PhD, I have also participated in staff meetings and clinical work to keep my feet on the ground and to continue my training.
The beauty of research is that it allows you to follow your own ideas. The personal liberty and autonomy of research contrasts a much more routine working life in clinical medicine. We are constantly challenged to learn, to acquire new information and techniques, and to reassess ways of viewing the human organism. Every day we have the potential to find something new, whereas in clinical medicine, naturally one has to stick to the strict protocols. Working in research means keeping yourself informed. In an area where information is short-lived, reading the relevant literature and discussing it with colleagues should represent a very significant part of our professional life as residents in urology.
However, given the lack of a research career track for medical doctors, is it possible to do both? I believe that the response to this question is yes. Today medical and scientific educations place us at an ideal intellectual vantage point to facilitate the transfer of clinical observation to laboratory research and discovery, and to help return to the clinic a better understanding of human disease. The problem-solving skills that a trainee develops in a laboratory pay off greatly when he returns to clinical medicine. He is able to pick up some extremely useful skills in a research job, which will stand in good stead as a clinician. We also learn how to organise and plan our time more effectively. Finally, the knowledge that we absorb and generate doing research is dramatically changing the way we practice medicine.
The opportunities for us as next generation of urologists are huge, as medicine and science come together and generate fresh interdisciplinary approaches to scientific and clinical problems old and new.
Definitely, it is time that medicine becomes much more scientific.
Emre Huri, M.D.
emrehuri@yahoo.com
Ankara (TR)
Turkey ESRU NCO of ESRU
I just finished my EAU Short-Term Visiting Programme (4-25 April 2005) at the Urology Department of the Vienna University . This training, aimed at obtaining an introduction and insight into laparoscopic oncological surgery was immensely helpful and instructional.
I attended all of Prof. C.H. Klingler’s laporoscopic oncological cases and it was very impressive to observe a laparoscopic radical prostatectomy performed with the Da Vinci Robot. Discussing each case before a procedure, and afterwards, was tremendously informative. Starting on the very first day at the AKH (Allgemeines Krankenhaus), I had the opportunity to work as a regular member of staff, seeing patients in the outpatient clinic as well. The remainder of the day I could spend
time at the ESWL unit, the Incontinence Unit, Cystoscopie Unit, Stone Analyse Unit and the others units and observe and talk about any of these facilities with the department staff doctors and residents.
I also had the option to attend the Uro-Radiology Symposium with the support of Prof. Marberger which proved to be very interesting and useful. It was an honour for me to attend the EUSP Programme as a short-term visitor and I would like to thank the EAU and EUSP Boards for providing my grant. In addition, I should like to thank Prof. Michael Marberger for the interest he showed in my education and training and also Prof. C.H. Klingler and Dr. M. Remzi.
I strongly encourage residents to apply EUSP grants. I believe that this visiting programme in Vienna was very beneficial for me since it allowed me to obtain a more comprehensive overview of the practical skills in laparoscopic procedures, and the importance of those skills in my future urological training.
Being a Research Fellow in London : A Unique Experience Close to Peter Pan* Berk Burgu, Turkey
Paediatric Urology is becoming one of the most outstanding fields in Urology and has recently been accepted as a formal subspecialty in Turkey like in many countries. Universities will need well trained urologists to take further steps in this fast developing field. Basic research is definitely the most important milestone of this growing subspecialty. After the two years when I was fortunate enough to get my Paediatric urology training at Hacettepe University, I wanted to achieve some research experience abroad.
Great Ormond Street Hospital Paediatric Urology Department and Institute of Child Health Nephro-Urology Unit both have international reputations for research, clinical expertise and training in this particular field of Urology.
It was for this reason that I applied and had the chance to get the EUSP research grant with the detailed project that we had submitted. I have been working at the Institute since July 2004 under the supervision of Mr Duncan Wilcox and Professor Adrian Woolf. This has been a great opportunity for me to learn about research. I also had the chance to observe the clinical work at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Large variability and number of cases are excellent chances to observe surgery. Regular educational lectures, Radiology and Urodynamic meetings are unique places to learn. These experiences will extremely help me as an urologist on my field in future.
As a surgeon I must admit, it is quite a challenging position to spend majority of your time on research in the laboratory. Although it seemed to be a very different area, by the help of the experienced staff, necessary free courses and the perfect setup of the laboratory, I easily adapted. I have been working on the effect of vascular endothelial growth factor on embryonic detrusor smooth muscle development. I started to apply techniques such as immunohistochemistry, western blot, tissue culture, flowcytometry as routine procedures. This experience definitely improved my understanding and helped me to develop an approach to research articles in Urology.
I believe I will be able to produce several research and clinical papers at the end of this year. I was able to sent abstracts for meetings at the end four months.
Besides, as an Urologist working in a multidisciplinary approach with Paediatric Surgeons, Radiologists, Nephrologists in the clinic and post doctorates and experienced staff in the laboratory is a different but valuable experience. On the other hand this is probably one of the best places to have experienced Paediatric Urologists in research around to guide and support you in this completely new area as a surgeon.
London is an expensive city and sometimes can be frustrating about accommodation and transport facilities but I am still glad to have the chance to work here. The scholarship is enough and allows me to experience this beautiful city full of character.
I believe by the help of EUSP scholarship I will be able to fulfil my expectations in Paediatric Urology training and share my accomplishment in Turkey afterwards. Great Ormond Street Hospital and Institute of Child Health were the best choices in this particular target and I am glad I was able to built strong relationships with such important departments which will provide a strong source of confidence throughout my career.
* Writer J.M. Barrie donated the rights of Peter Pan to the Great Ormond Street Hospital in his will.