Comparison of the self-reported training level between Mexican and Western Europe residents in urology: results of an international survey.

OBJECTIVE

To find out how Mexican residents in urology perceive their own level of training in comparison with how residents in Europe perceive theirs.

METHODS

A questionnaire of self-assessment was distributed to 104 European and 24 Mexican urologists-in-training. We assessed the perception of residents about their level of training and factors associated with self-perceived performance.

RESULTS

Mean age of 128 residents was 32.69 +/- 3.33 years. Mexican residents spent significantly more time in urological departments than European residents. The weekly amount of hours spent at work was higher in Europe; while the number of residents per hospital was higher in Mexico. Mexican residents reported more reliable support from a supervising senior. European residents perceived they had a superior level regarding transplantation in female urology and urinary lithiasis, whereas Mexican residents felt more confident regarding urological infections and paediatric urology. Factors associated with better self-perceived performance were the number of months in urology, the number of non-urologic rotations and a supervising senior.

CONCLUSION

Mexican residents in urology perceive that their own level of training is similar to that of European residents. The number of months of training in urology, the number of non-urologic rotations and a supporting senior are associated with a better self-perceived performance.