Goals and Objectives for Training

1. The Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO) accredited fellowship at UT Health San Antonio is designed for urologists seeking a career in urologic oncology by providing comprehensive training that fosters clinical excellence and research initiative. The University of Texas cancer programs are amongst the best in the United States and our graduates are well poised to become future leaders in the field.

2. Our goal is to train academic urologic oncologists, highly skilled surgeons and multidisciplinary subject-matter experts in urologic oncology.

3. Prerequisite requirements of the subspecialty (fellowship) postgraduate residents include graduation from an accredited ACGME or ICGME residency program in Urology or any accredited urology program; successful completion of the USMLE steps 1,2, and 3; and ability to obtain a Texas medical license or Physician-in-Training (PIT) permit.

4. Delineated duties and responsibilities required of subspecialty (fellowship) postgraduate residents in the fellowship.

Patient Care:

1. Become proficient in the evaluation and management of cancers of the bladder, prostate, kidney, adrenal gland, testis, and penis.

2. Demonstrate an understanding of the role of surgery, radiation, and systemic therapy in the treatment of localized, regional, and metastatic urologic cancers. Additionally, understanding the role of urologic surgery in other cancers, such as colorectal, gynecologic, sarcoma, etc.

3. Expert interpretation urologic radiologic studies related to urologic oncology, including CT, ultrasound, MRI, and nuclear medicine exams.

4. Demonstrate appropriate use of medical and surgical consultants in patient management.

Medical Knowledge:

1. Demonstrate, articulate and apply surgical anatomy and physiology to all urologic oncology case types.

2. Demonstrate a detailed understanding of the natural history, pathophysiology, and genetic-molecular profile of bladder, kidney, adrenal, prostate, testis, and penile cancer.

3. Demonstrate a working knowledge of the pathology of genitourinary cancers and recognize the basic variations of cell type, grade, and invasion of each cancer.

4. Demonstrate an understanding of the American Urological Association (AUA) guidelines for screening, evaluation, staging and managing urologic malignancies.

5. Locate, appraise, and assimilate evidence from scientific studies related to the patient’s urologic problems.

Professionalism: 

1. Fellows are expected to demonstrate a commitment to carrying out professional development, responsibilities and adherence to ethical and moral principles.

2. Demonstrate compassion, integrity and respect for others.

3. Be responsive to patient needs, superseding self-interest; respect for patient privacy and autonomy; accountability to patients, society and the program.

4. Be sensitive and responsive to a diverse patient population, including diversity in gender, race, culture, age, religion, disability and sexual orientation.

5. Maintain professional atmosphere and communication between teachers, mentees, collaborative colleagues and patients.

6. Maintain comprehensive and timely medical records.

Interpersonal Communication:

1. Communicate effectively with patients and their families, including obtaining informed consent, giving bad news, and managing difficult or confrontational patients and families.

2. Demonstrate effective communication with patients from diverse cultures, including the effective use of interpreters.

3. Communicate openly, respectfully, and effectively with colleagues, including non-surgical colleagues, nursing, and ancillary staff, to optimize global care of the patients.

4. Teach residents effectively, including clearly imparting knowledge, teaching surgical techniques, and guiding the independent study, including evaluating resident performance.

Systems-Based Practice:

1. Consistently take into consideration the cost of health care and deliver cost-effective health care whenever possible.

2. Demonstrate an understanding of the social and economic factors affecting the health care of his/her patients.

3. Advocate for quality patient care and assist patients in dealing with system complexities, especially as it relates to uninsured and underprivileged patients.

4. Assist in the maintenance of continuity of care for patients after discharge from the hospital.

Practice-Based Learning & Improvement: 

1. Be able to perform independently basic open urologic oncology procedures including radical retroperitoneal surgery, radical pelvic surgery, urinary diversions and reconstruction, penile and scrotal surgery, lymphadenectomy and vascular surgery pertaining to urologic cases.

2. Be able to perform with supervision more advanced urologic procedures, including post-chemotherapy RPLND, salvage cystectomy and prostatectomy, complex partial nephrectomy, and nephrectomy with level 2 and 3 vena cava thrombi.

3. Demonstrate accurate endoscopic evaluation and treatment of bladder, upper tract and diversion tumors and pathology.