Capturing the Perspective of Prospective Urology Applicants: Impacts of COVID-19 on Medical Education

• Published in: Urology (Ridgewood, N.J.) N.J.), 2020-12, Vol.146, p.36-42
• Main Authors: Hanson, Kate A., Borofsky, Michael S., Hampson, Lindsay A., Breyer, Benjamin N., Kern, Nora G., Conti, Simon L., Kielb, Stephanie J., Sorensen, Mathew D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Career Choice; COVID-19; Education; Humans; Internet; Internship and Residency - organization & administration; Internship and Residency - statistics & numerical data; Job Application; Pandemics; SARS-CoV-2; Students, Medical - psychology; Students, Medical - statistics & numerical data; Surveys and Questionnaires; United States; Urology - education; Urology - standards; Urology - statistics & numerical data
• ISSN: 0090-4295; 1527-9995; 1527-9995
• DOI: 10.1016/j.urology.2020.09.027

To capture the perspective of prospective urology applicants experiencing unique challenges in the context of COVID-19. A voluntary, anonymous survey was distributed online, assessing the impact of COVID-19 on a large sample of US medical students planning to apply to urology residencies. Themes of (1) specialty discernment, (2) alterations to medical education, and (3) the residency application process were explored. A total of 238 medical students, 87% third and fourth years, responded to the survey. While 85% indicated that the pandemic had not deterred their specialty choice, they noted substantial impacts on education, including 82% reporting decreased exposure to urology. Nearly half of students reported changes to required rotations and 35% reported changes to urology-specific rotations at their home institutions. Students shared concerns about suspending in-person experiences, including the impact on letters of recommendation (68% “very concerned) and program choice (73% “very concerned”). Looking to the possibility of virtual interactions, students identified the importance of small group and one-on-one communication with residents (83% “very important”) and opportunities to learn about hospital facilities (72% “very important”). Despite the impacts of COVID-19 on medical education, prospective urology applicants appear to remain confident in their specialty choice. Students’ biggest concerns involve disruption of away rotations, including impacts on obtaining letters of recommendation and choosing a residency program.