Practical Urology for the Rural General Surgeon
The Canadian Association of General Surgeons is offering a program for further education in urology. Based on the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons’ EPAs for Urology residency, the program includes an online course component, an in-person simulation session at the Canadian Surgical Forum, and a selection of procedures logged independently by participants.
Eligible surgeons can choose to take any course component as a CPD learning opportunity or complete all components to receive a Certificate of Recognition from the Canadian Association of General Surgeons.
Goals
- To increase familiarity and capacity with common urological urgencies and emergencies among surgical practitioners in rural and/or global surgery environments
- To provide practical instruction for the performance of urological procedures with the goals of reducing unnecessary patient travel, cost, and burden on tertiary centres
- To address management of urological emergencies in a simulated setting
Rationale
The Canadian Urological Association (CUA) and the American Urological Association (AUA) anticipate significant changes in the urology workforce as the population ages, increasing the risk of mortality from urological disease. The WHO has determined urological procedures for non-specialists that rural and remote general surgeons should be comfortable providing. Many general surgeons do not receive adequate exposure to urological procedures during their residency but find it to be a component of their practice.
Eligibility
Participants must be practicing general surgeons, GP-ESS trained, or be enrolled in a GP-ESS or general surgery residency training program.
Online course
The online component consists of four 2-hour virtual sessions with a rural general surgeon and board-certified urologist providing case-based scenarios and expert content for discussion and management.
Each session is eligible for 2.5 Section 3 MOC credits.
Learning Objectives
- Assess and manage patients with acute urological issues, including paraphimosis, acute urinary retention, testicular torsion, and Fournier’s gangrene.
- Identify indications for and common pitfalls of urological procedures including cystoscopy, suprapubic catheters, urethral dilatation, nephrectomies, and adrenalectomies.
- Describe indications, risks and benefits of circumcision and male sterilization.
- Identify appropriate management strategies for urological bleeding and post-operative complications.
- Develop an approach for patients presenting in non-urgent settings, including outflow obstruction, lower urinary tract symptoms, and prostate cancer counselling.
Session 1: Managing the Acute Urological Patient
March 26, 2025
Session 2: Procedures and Pitfalls
May 21, 2025
Session 3: Urological Bleed and Post-Operative Complications
October 22, 2025
Session 4: Office-based Problems and Approaches
December 17, 2025
Online course cost
CAGS Practicing Member – $350
CAGS Member Learner (Resident/Fellow) – $225
Affiliate/International/Non-Member – $550
Registration for the 2025 online course is now closed. The next course will be held in 2027.
Simulation course
In-person simulation session for hands-on experience with urological conditions and procedures, including:
- Stents
- Cystoscopes
- Procedures in the Emergency Room
- Suprapubic catheters and POCUS
- Catheters and the difficult patient
The next course will take place at the 2025 Canadian Surgery Forum in Montreal, Québec, September 17-20th.
Case log component
Practical case logs, independently organized by the participant, for select procedures (may accept documentation of procedural skill from last 2 years of practice). For more information on this program component, contact learn@cags-accg.ca.
- 25 cystoscopies (at least 5 female)
- 15 J-stent placements
- 10 circumcisions (at least 3 pediatric)
- 7 hydrocele approaches
- 7 male sterilizations
- 5 suprapubic catheters (at least 3 in vivo)
- 5 temporary ureteral stents
For more information about this program, contact learn@cags-accg.ca.