The increasing appointment of female doctors to urologist jobs, though, has led to an increasing awareness of the needs of female patients from a clinical perspective, as well as to more female patients looking for the services of a female urologist simply because they feel more comfortable discussing their issues with a fellow woman. Urologist jobs are increasingly concerned with catering to the needs of female patients as much as men, and this in turn is fuelling the demand for more women to be appointed to urologist jobs and positions.
As more women enter the urology field, a new breed of mentors are also emerging who are actively encouraging female MDs to consider taking up the specialty when it comes time to perform their urology rotation. Many female urologists recount tales of how they were actively discouraged from considering the area as a career path due to mistaken perceptions and, in some instances, simple discrimination. Today, however, many of the barriers to a woman doctor filling urologist jobs have been removed, and a different attitude prevails in the teaching hospitals when it comes to female candidates considering a career in urology.
Urologist jobs are increasingly being considered by female doctors because of the nature of the work as well as the control practitioners have over their working lives. It is not unusual for long-term relationships to be formed with patients, and urology is relatively unique in that it is one practice area where the skills of being both a doctor and surgeon are combined. The surgical procedures are also not labor-intensive, allowing urologists much more control over working hours than is normally possible in the medical profession. This contributes to the attraction the field holds for female MDs who are looking for a work/life balance that combines a deeply satisfying and financially rewarding career with a private and family life.
The necessary training for the field is rigorous, and the typical urology program requires six years of academic, research, and surgical residency before graduation. Competition for these residency spots is also high, and members of the program are appointed to one-year contracts which are reviewed at each year's end, with the resident's performance determining promotion to greater responsibilities for surgical and other urology duties including teaching and junior staff supervision.
The initial eighteen months are usually taken up with general surgery and associated subspecialties, and the following six months cover urodynamics, infertility, and endourology. Third-year residents advance to dealing with diagnostic urology and pre-op and post-op care, and commence urological surgery practical experience with a focus on outpatient care and endoscopy, as well as on assisting in urologic surgery and uncomplicated procedures.
Urology research is often conducted as a fourth-year resident, while fifth-year residents tend to perform the bulk of endoscopic surgeries as well as acting as primary assistants to the chief resident. The final year is usually spent as the chief resident with overall management responsibility for the delivery of urology services, as well as the duty of performing most of the urology surgical procedures for private cases.
Research forms a major part of any urologist's life, and the field is constantly changing, with new techniques and procedures requiring a heavy investment in continuing professional education and certification. Research skills gained during residency programs will be put to heavy use throughout the career of a urologist.
Financial remuneration for urologist jobs reflects the training, experience, and demand for the role, with an average salary of $186,000. A resident who has satisfactorily completed training can look forward to building a career anywhere in the country, as jobs in the field are currently being offered widely in order to meet the increasing demand. Competition to attract suitably qualified candidates can be fierce, and the outlook for the profession is highly encouraging.
In conclusion, the trend towards appointing women doctors to urologist jobs and positions is set to continue as the demand for female practitioners increases. Female patients are increasingly looking for the services of a urologist and often do not feel comfortable dealing with a male practitioner. Training and residency programs are increasingly open to women candidates, and the area provides excellent work and life balance for those looking for a long-term career without the need to sacrifice personal and family life.
