Trainees' Forum
Adults are just big kids: a paediatric surgeon’s experience in adult urology
As an ST8 trainee in paediatric general surgery and urology, I had firmly decided on subspecialisation in paediatric urology. Whilst preparing for the dreaded final Annual Review of Competency Progression (ARCP), the all-important question of “What next?” came to the...
Our experience: from London and Glasgow urology, to the world down under
In November 2023, we were privileged to have been hosted at the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand’s (USANZ) annual trainee week in the beautiful city of Adelaide, South Australia. Each year, USANZ organises a week for their local...
Hail the Portfolio Pathway!
In the United Kingdom, the pursuit of a surgical career traditionally follows a conventional pathway, primarily through the completion of specialty programmes accredited by the Royal College of Surgeons or the Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Programme (ISCP). However, for doctors with...
Feeling like a fraud — imposter syndrome: what it is and what to do about it
Have you ever been plagued by feelings of incompetence despite evidence to the contrary, then this article is for you. Dr Dunay Schmulian provides insight into imposter syndrome and what to do about it. Excerpt 1 Consultant:That was excellent, and...
What is a leadership fellowship?
What is a leadership fellowship?” This is a question that is often asked about my year out of training to undertake the National Medical Director’s (NMD) Clinical Fellow Scheme. I hope to provide an insight into what a fellowship in...
The BSoT buddy scheme at BAUS 2023: a new initiative for fostering international relationships
The BSoT committee at BAUS, many of whom where involved with the inaugural buddy scheme. The buddy background By Nicholas Boxall, Specialty Registrar, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Immediate Past Chair of BSoT. The BAUS Section of Trainees (BSoT)...
My detour – my year without a urology NTN and bouncing back
When I saw the dreaded words “Oriel: Application not matched” pop-up on my phone my heart sank. This was my second attempt at a urology national training number (NTN), and I had put my life on hold whilst preparing for...
USANZ Trainee Week 2022 – a trip down under
The BAUS Section of Trainees (BSoT) opened applications for two senior UK urology trainees to be sponsored to attend the annual Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand (USANZ) Trainee Week, in Melbourne. The week is held in November each...
Urology ST3 interview update and top tips
This article, written by a Urology ST3 from the West of Scotland Deanery, aims to give the reader an insight into the ST3 interview process along with some helpful hints for those about to undertake the challenge. The aims of...
The AUA Residents’ Bowl: with the help of BSoT (13-16 May 2022 • New Orleans, USA)
After successfully sitting both parts of the FRCS(Urol) examination in 2021 and still basking in the knowledge that I would never have to sit another examination again, it’s fair to say there was a certain amount of consternation when I...
The Kennedy Report
Context The death of George Floyd at the hands of racist driven police brutality in May 2020 shook the world into a period of civil unrest and active demonstration against unacceptable discrimination displayed by people of authority. The Black Lives...
JCST, GMC, HEE and SACs: how this alphabet soup translates into a seven-year urology training programme
As many trainees will know, and I count myself among them, there are a plethora of organisations involved in our training. Most of us will be familiar with our deaneries, the haven we return to once a month for our...
