Research fellowship in the curriculum of French urologists-in-training: a study by the French Association of Urologists-in-training (AFUF)

• Published in: Progrès en urologie (Paris) Vol. 24; no. 6; p. 359
• Main Authors: Rizk, J, Audenet, F, Brichart, N, Capon, G, Dariane, C, Fiard, G, Lebdai, S, Madec, F-X, Maurin, C, Sanson, S, Tanchoux, C, Thibault, F, Murez, T, Terrasa, J-B, Terrier, J-É
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: France 01-05-2014
• Subjects: Adult; Biomedical Research - standards; Competency-Based Education - standards; Cross-Sectional Studies; Curriculum; Fellowships and Scholarships - standards; Female; France; Humans; Internship and Residency - standards; Job Satisfaction; Male; Societies, Medical; Surveys and Questionnaires; Urology - education; France; Urologie; Fellowships and scholarships; Enseignement; Internship and residency; Deuxième et troisième cycle médical; Research; Année de recherche et scolarité; Recherche; Urology; Teaching
• ISSN: 1166-7087
• DOI: 10.1016/j.purol.2013.10.012

To assess motivations, the practical organization and the funding of a research fellowship in the training curriculum of French urologists-in-training.
An online questionnaire was sent to members of the AFUF and to participants of a research training seminar "Graines et Sol" organised by the AFU, between July and September 2013. Results are presented as the median (interquartile range).
Sixty answers out of 115 research fellows (response rate 52%) were computed. Median age was 29 years (28-30) during the research year and male proportion 75%. The AFU grant was obtained by 57.4% of applicants, 56.4% for various grants and 47.6% for the research fellowship university grant. The annual gross amount was 29,870€ (22,710-30,195), without any significant difference between residency subdivisions. Financial supplements were obtained by being on-duty (26.2%), on-call (28.6%) and replacements (25%). The research fellowship year was done between 4th and 5th years of residency (53%), for a one-year length (96.7%) and in France (86.6%). Urologic cancerology was the thematic the most studied (60%). The research fellowship was done in view of an academic career (31.7%) or was done to wait for a post-residency position (20.8%). About a quarter was being proposed a chief-residency position before the beginning of the research year. During this year, 76.7% published. About 63% were interested in pursuing with a PhD.
This study confirmed the interest for a research fellowship by French urologists-in-training. Financial support thanks to grants facilitated the conduct of a research fellowship in the aim of an academic career for most of them.