A Novel Urology Preliminary Residency Curriculum Within a Department of Surgery for Unmatched Applicants.

OBJECTIVE

Traditional options for unmatched applicants in urology include pursuing a research fellowship or completing a preliminary general surgery training year. We aimed to create a novel urology-focused preliminary curriculum.

DESIGN

The general surgery program commits three preliminary positions for urology-focused interns. These interns complete six months of urology rotations and six months of general surgery rotations. Additionally, they are paired with a urology faculty member to participate in a longitudinal coaching and mentorship program.

SETTING

The curriculum is situated within a Department of Surgery, which includes the Division of Urology, at one academic institution.

PARTICIPANTS

Eight residents have completed the urology-focused preliminary curriculum in three academic years (2022-2023).

RESULTS

Six residents have obtained categorical urology positions. Four matched via the American Urological Association Urology Match into a post-graduate year 1 (PGY1) position, and two matched outside of a formal matching process into a PGY2 position.

CONCLUSION

This urology-focused preliminary curriculum presents a novel strategy to address the growing number of unmatched applicants in competitive surgical subspecialties such as urology.