Identifying content for simulation-based curricula in urology: a national needs assessment.

Objective: Simulation-based training is well recognized in the transforming field of urological surgery; however, integration into the curriculum is often unstructured. Development of simulation-based curricula should follow a stepwise approach starting with a needs assessment. This study aimed to identify technical procedures in urology that should be included in a simulation-based curriculum for residency training.Materials and methods: A national needs assessment was performed using the Delphi method involving 56 experts with significant roles in the education of urologists. Round1 identified technical procedures that newly qualified urologists should perform. Round2 included a survey using an established needs assessment formula to explore: the frequency of procedures; the number of physicians who should be able to perform the procedure; the risk and/or discomfort to patients when a procedure is performed by an inexperienced physician; and the feasibility of simulation training. Round3 involved elimination and reranking of procedures according to priority.Results: The response rates for the three Delphi rounds were 70%, 55% and 67%, respectively. The 34 procedures identified in Round1 were reduced to a final prioritized list of 18 technical procedures for simulation-based training. The five procedures that reached the highest prioritization were cystoscopy, transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy of the prostate, placement of ureteral stent, insertion of urethral and suprapubic catheter, and transurethral resection of the bladder.Conclusion: The prioritized list of technical procedures in urology that were identified as highly suitable for simulation can be used as an aid in the planning and development of simulation-based training programs.