Introduction: Understanding the factors that influence the decision of urology residents to pursue an Endourology Society (ES) fellowship and the criteria used by applicants to rank programs may help residents and program directors (PDs) optimize the match process. In the present study, we surveyed current ES fellows to gain better insight surrounding their decision-making process. Materials and Methods: A survey was emailed to all ES fellows, comprising Endourology and Stone Disease (ESD), Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery (MIS), and combination of ESD/MIS (COM) programs. A Likert scale ranging from 1 to 5 was used. The survey captured demographics such as geographic region, program type, duration, applicants' reasons for pursuing fellowship, criteria for ranking programs, and perceived improvements in surgical comfort levels at the end of their training. Results: Out of the 60 fellows who were surveyed, 40 (66.7%) responded. Among the respondents, 9 (22.5%) pursued ESD, 10 (25%) pursued MIS, and 21 (52.5%) pursued COM programs. The primary reason for seeking a fellowship was to improve surgical skills while increasing earning potential and enhancing research opportunities were deemed the least important. Fellows enrolled in 1-year programs were less likely to pursue fellowships for academic reasons. The two most significant factors in selecting a program were both related to gaining operative experience. Lastly, there was an increase in the level of comfort performing all endourological surgeries independently after fellowship. Conclusions: ES fellowship is seen as an opportunity to hone surgical skills and increase job competitiveness. When selecting a program, operative experience is the most important factor, and fellowship improves operative confidence. The information obtained from this study may mutually help guide future applicants and PDs in the decision process of the Endourology Match.

中文翻译：

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选择腔内泌尿外科学会奖学金计划：候选人的观点。

简介：了解影响泌尿外科住院医师决定获得腔内泌尿外科学会 (ES) 奖学金的因素以及申请人对项目进行排名的标准可能有助于住院医师和项目主管 (PD) 优化匹配流程。在本研究中，我们对当前的 ES 研究员进行了调查，以更好地了解他们的决策过程。材料和方法：通过电子邮件向所有 ES 研究员发送了一项调查，包括腔内泌尿外科和结石病 (ESD)、腹腔镜和机器人手术 (MIS) 以及 ESD/MIS (COM) 项目的组合。使用范围从 1 到 5 的李克特量表。该调查涵盖了人口统计数据，例如地理区域、项目类型、持续时间、申请者追求奖学金的原因、项目排名标准以及培训结束时手术舒适度的改善。结果：在接受调查的 60 名研究员中，有 40 名 (66.7%) 做出了回应。在受访者中，9人（22.5%）选择了ESD课程，10人（25%）选择了MIS课程，21人（52.5%）选择了COM课程。寻求奖学金的主要原因是提高手术技能，而增加收入潜力和增加研究机会被认为是最不重要的。参加一年制项目的研究员不太可能出于学术原因寻求奖学金。选择项目时最重要的两个因素都与获得手术经验有关。最后，在进修后独立进行所有腔内泌尿外科手术的舒适度有所提高。结论：ES 研究金被视为磨练手术技能和提高工作竞争力的机会。在选择方案时，手术经验是最重要的因素，而同事关系可以提高手术信心。从本研究中获得的信息可以在腔内泌尿外科匹配的决策过程中相互帮助指导未来的申请人和 PD。