Objectives: Trainee urologists must be helped and guided in order to acquire surgical techniques and professional skills. This methodological trial was designed to define the training objectives based on the needs formulated in terms of basic technical procedures.
Materials and methods: Systematic planning based on the training cycle was used in this study. Training needs were identified by a questionnaire sent to 4 groups composed of a limited number (about twelve) of urologists, but representative of the various modes of urological practice in several regions of France. Data were acquired according to the Delphi method.
Results: A list of 10 operations to be mastered at the end of urology training was defined consensually based on the replies (79.2%) to the questionnaire. This list was used as the basis for the design of general and specific training objectives for each operation. These objectives were validated by the urologists consulted. Three examples of these objectives are presented.
Conclusion: A clear determination of the surgical technique training needs and objectives could lead to standardization of the practical training of urology residents. This would subsequently need to be completed by determination of the methods of evaluation of achievement of these objectives for tutors and trainee urologists.