Outlook Bright to Pursue Career in Urology?

Answer 1

Urology is that branch of medicine specializing in those health issues impacting the urinary tracts of both men and women as well as the male reproductive system. Urological disorders cover the kidneys, bladder, ureter and urethra, along with the prostate gland, penis and testes.

With trained urologists usually in short supply, the next decade offers excellent career opportunities for medical doctors looking to pursue a particular specialty. Research and technology in urology is especially exciting for surgeons in the category of laparoscopic surgery, the minimally invasive techniques and procedures that include cutting edge robotics.

The path to a career in urology as a urologist, a physician whose knowledge and skills focus on the healthcare provided for issues surrounding the urinary tract and the male reproductive organs, requires a degree in medicine. A physician can choose urology as their specialty during residency and many candidates choose it because urology is closely intertwined with many other fascinating medical specialties, including gynecology, internal medicine and pediatrics.

Upon successful completion of a residency in urology and certification by the American Board of Urology, many urologists elect to continue their studies in order to specialize in a sub-specialty of urology. These include endourology dealing with minimally invasive surgical procedures, laparoscopy, a fast-emerging specialty dealing with robotic surgery, urologic oncology handling cancer of the prostate, penis, testicals, kidneys, adrenal glands, bladder or ureters, neurourology dealing with the nervous system and its impact on urination, pediatric urology handling urological disorders in children, andrology which deals with male infertility, erectile disfunction and reproductive issues, reconstructive urology handling surgical repair of the genito-urinary tract, and female urology specializing in diseases and disorders occuring within the female pelvic region.

Even further study in urology and surgical urological techniques can enable a urologist to become a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Average starting salaries for a urologist are around $250,000 annually, with some specialists in urology earning upwards of $375,000 annually depending upon their location, training and sub-specialty. With the U.S. Department of Labor reporting less than 14% of medical professionals specializing in urology, career prospects through the next decade in urology are very promising either as a physician or surgeon.