[The role of simulation in the curriculum of French urologists-in-training: a study by the French Association of Urologists-in-Training (AFUF)]

Abstract

Objectives: To study the place of simulation in the training curriculum of French urologists-in-training.

Materials and methods: An online questionnaire was sent to all residents and fellows members of the AFUF between February and May, 2013. Results are presented as the median (interquartile range).

Results: The answers of 125 urologists-in-training were computed (response rate 38%). They were residents in 90 cases (72%), and fellows in 35 cases (28%). Median age was 29 (27-30), male proportion 77%. All French academic urology departments were represented. Ninety of them (72%) had access to a pelvi-trainer and 66 (53%) to animal or cadaveric models, although they never used them or less than once a month in 83 and 97% of cases, respectively. Seventy-two (58%) had used a virtual-reality based simulator at least once and 38 (30%) had regular access to one, but without supervision in 64% of cases. Factors limiting simulation-based training were the lack of available simulators (70%), the lack of time (58%), the absence of incitement (34%) and supervision (20%). If these conditions were met, 86% of urologists-in-training would be ready to spend more than one hour a-week training on a simulator.

Conclusion: This study revealed among the sample of respondents a limited use of simulation tools for skills aquisition. This was explained by a limited availability of these tools but also by an insufficient use of the tools when available.

Keywords: Education; Formation; Pédagogie; Robotics; Robotique; Simulation; Training.