Subspecialization, recruitment and retirement trends of American urologists

Purpose: Trends of urology workforce, subspecialization, recruitment practices, retirement planning, practice characteristics and managed care impacts in the United States were assessed. Materials and Methods: In February 1996 the executive interviewing branch of The Gallup Organization selected randomly and interviewed by telephone 507 practicing urologists in the United States who had provided urological patient care for more than 20 hours per week, practical in 1995 and completed a urological residency program. Results: Several important issues emerged. Urologists think we may be training too many urologists, subspecialty board certification would be a divisive issue to urology as a whole and 90% of urologists have an active retirement plan, although 23% are not funding the plan fully. Conclusions: The American Urological Association Gallup Poll, as refined by the Health Policy Survey and Research Committee, continues to be a unique and valuable tool in assessing practice patterns, gathering demographic data and measuring opinions of the American urologist. This information will help us chart our way to the twenty-first century.