The hybrid of basic science and clinical training for the urologic oncologist: Necessity or waste?

Objective: To examine the necessity and adequacy of basic science training for Urologic oncology training programs. Methods: Evaluated whether urology physician scientist's are adequately trained in the basic sciences. Results: The current urologic oncology training system does not adequately train physician scientists. We propose a major reform to define, train, and maintain the urology physician scientists. Conclusions: Urology physician scientists have played a major role in advancement of urologic oncology. Major reform is necessary, if we wish to continue to successfully train urologic oncology physician scientists. (c) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.