WUS Teaching & Training
A compulsory, regional, teaching day takes place on the second Friday of each month. The sessions follow a rolling timetable, with topics chosen to reflect the new urology curriculum and to prepare trainees for the FRCS (Urol) examination.
A fixed venue (Park Inn Hotel, Circle Way East, Llanedeyrn, Cardiff CF23 9XF) close to the M4, allows trainees from all units to attend without difficulty. Each session is organised by two local Consultants and incorporates guest lectures, journal reviews, debates, vivas and MCQs.
South Wales Urology Higher Training Programme
The programme director is Mr Timson Appanna (pictured above right), Consultant Urological Surgeon, Royal Glamorgan Hospital, Cwm Taf University Health Board, Ynysmaerdy, Llantrisant, Pontyclun.
Trainees are expected to attend the Welsh Urological Society meetings, the BAUS Section of Oncology Annual Meeting and the BAUS Annual Scientific Meeting to complement local teaching. Trainees are also encouraged to attend BAUS-organised educational courses and revision sessions throughout their rotation.
Teaching programme
Click here to download the current trainee teaching programme (until April 2020).
Wales Deanery FRCS (Urol) outcomes
The monthly SpR teaching programme (see above) covers the urology syllabus in detail, including interactive case-based discussions and viva practice on the monthly topics. It also provides some innovative sessions with training opportunities in a number of other areas including simulation of operative and non-technical skills, and a programme for FRCS (Urol) preparation.
To help trainees prepare for and, achieve high pass rates in, the FRCS (Urol) examination, the region provides a structured programme to assist with exam preparation. Each year all SpRs undertake:
- the EBU in-service assessment annually for MCQ practice marked individually per topic on the syllabus,
- an annual viva day in May where trainees undertake a formal mock FRCS (Urol) viva day, with stations covering the exam topics * (see below) manned by Consultant colleagues in the region, and marked in line with the exam scheme,
- individual and group viva sessions (usually 10 - 20 hours with TPD / Consultant colleagues in the region), prior to the exam, focusing on viva technique.
With this support, trainees from the Wales region have achieved amongst the highest pass rate for any region at the FRCS (Urol) exam - a 95% pass rate for vivas over the last 10 years. We have also supported three non-SpR colleagues in the region in undertaking the exit exam - all three passed at their first attempt.
* Exam topics: Oncology I (kidney/bladder); Oncology II (prostate/penis/testis); Paediatric; Stones & UTI; Emergency Urology; BPH & Andrology; Female Urology & Reconstruction; Technology & Imaging
Training Links with Units Overseas
Links for training have been developed between Wales and a number of leading urology units overseas. Trainees from the region have undertaken fellowships/additional training in the following centres:
University Hospital Leuven, Belgium
Prof Hein van Poppel
Dr Steven Joniau
Princess Alexandra & Royal Brisbane Hospitals, Australia
Dr Peter Heathcote
Dr David Hussey
Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria, Australia
Prof Tony Costello
Flinders Medical Cantre, Adelaide SA, Australia
Dr Alan Stapleton
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