Today, the American Urological Association (AUA) shared online findings from the 2015 inaugural Practicing Urologists Across the Globe census report. Aimed at understanding, characterizing and comparing urologists around the globe, information from this study is designed to help bridge knowledge gaps, inform urology workforce planning, and implementation and, ultimately, improve global urologic care for years to come.

Nearly 4,000 practicing urologists in 106 countries were compared at both the continent level and selected country level with regard to key issues affecting the urologic workforce. Data elements, including demographics, education and training, geographical location of practice, practice setting, sub–specialty areas, years of urologic practice, electronic health records use and the numbers of clinical hours worked and patient volume per week were reported. Variations in workforce characteristics and practice patterns across countries and continents were observed with new therapeutic possibilities, rising expectations of health care values and health care reform and improvement featured prominently among several critical challenges facing the health care workforce.

“As the global population grows and ages, the demand for urologic care has increased," said Inderbir Gill, MD, MCh, AUA Chair of Global Initiatives. “To meet the global needs for urological care and address various challenges, one must understand the global urologic workforce, as well as, cross–national variations seen in this study. Future Census publications will expand on these initial findings and report universal trends that can help inform efforts to improve patient care.”

Highlights from the AUA International Census:

These data and other key highlights from the inaugural 2015 Practicing Urologists Across the Globe census report are now available online at AUAnet.org.