Genitourinary Fellowship for Family Medicine Physicians.

Abstract

Objective: To address the significant national shortage of urologists that limits patient access to urological care by creating a novel fellowship program to train family medicine physicians to provide basic urologic counseling and procedures.

Methods: We created an 18-month fellowship open to applicants who have completed a family medicine residency. The curriculum includes office, hospital, and operating room rotations in andrology, endourology, urogynecology, and urologic oncology. We have enrolled a total of seven fellows beginning in 2017.

Results: The two fellows who did not complete the program were both MDs who worked for several years between residency and fellowship. Four fellows have completed the program, and one is scheduled to graduate in 2025. These five are all DOs who started the fellowship within four months of completing residency. All four of the graduates are currently practicing genitourinary medicine full-time without the direct supervision of a urologist. All four graduates reported a current annual salary >$250,000. All four were happy with their career choices in genitourinary medicine. Their practice breakdown was approximately 80% outpatient visits, 15% bedside procedures, and 5% operating room procedures. Three of the four graduates routinely take attending urology call where they independently perform bedside procedures and ureteral stent placements.

Conclusions: A urology fellowship for family medicine physicians can help bridge the gap for access to urological care. Graduates can safely provide basic care for patients in office and hospital settings in collaboration with urologists when necessary.