Tutku E Tazegul, Tomas Paneque, Ryan L Steinberg, Chad R Tracy
A department-level urology intern bootcamp is a feasible and effective educational intervention that improves perceived preparedness, and early data suggest the observed gains in relative ISE performance persist into the second year of training. This model offers a practical, low-cost approach to enhancing early residency training with minimal disruption to clinical workflow.
OBJECTIVE: To develop and evaluate a department-level urology intern bootcamp designed to improve early residency preparedness. Hypothesis that a structured, locally delivered curriculum would enhance foundational knowledge, procedural familiarity, and performance on the American Urological Association In-Service Examination (ISE).
DESIGN: Prospective educational intervention with post-curriculum survey assessment and comparison to historical controls. The study was non-randomized and unblinded. Outcomes included subjective participant feedback and objective ISE performance.
SETTING: Single academic, tertiary-care urology residency program PARTICIPANTS: Eight urology interns over two academic years participated in the bootcamp. All eligible interns entering the program were included, and all completed the curriculum and post-intervention assessments.
RESULTS: Participants reported improved understanding of core urologic topics, increased familiarity with common procedures, and greater confidence in early clinical responsibilities. All interns rated the curriculum as good or excellent preparation for the ISE. Median ISE performance improved to the 90th to 93rd percentile compared with a historical program median of 53%. One year after completing the bootcamp, the initial cohort's ISE percentile rank as R2s (mean 78.5 percentile) remained above the program's 5- and 10-year historical average for R2s (50.8 and 56.7 percentile, respectively). Simulation-based and hands-on sessions were rated as the most valuable components.
CONCLUSIONS: A department-level urology intern bootcamp is a feasible and effective educational intervention that improves perceived preparedness, and early data suggest the observed gains in relative ISE performance persist into the second year of training. This model offers a practical, low-cost approach to enhancing early residency training with minimal disruption to clinical workflow.