The split of the former Czechoslovakia into two different states in 1993 has led to the independence of Slovakia, a landlocked country located in the heart of Europe. Bridging the east and west, Slovakia has a population of just over five million people. Like in most European countries, formal medical study takes about six years at the university, after which graduate students can choose their residency from a wide range of medical specialties.
There are three universities with faculties of medicine in Slovakia, with an average of 600 new doctors graduating every year. Despite decreasing numbers in recent years, many new doctors are leaving the country to work abroad in hopes of better pay and working conditions.
At present, there are 370 registered urologists and 33 residents in Slovakia. Around 83% of all urologists are men. All urologists are affiliated with the Slovak Urological Society, established in 1993 whose roots can be traced back to the Czechoslovakian Society. The society has recently created a section for residents whose membership includes all young residents specialising in urological training.
Based on the directives of the Ministry of Health the minimum duration of urological specialisation training is five years, which includes both theoretical and practical components. During their urological training residents spend around 60 months at urological departments and clinics, training at medical centres where they are expected to apply and refine their theoretical and practical knowledge and skills under the supervision of leading urologists.
Throughout the training period residents in urology undergo education and comprehensive training at various departments, commonly referred to as “rotation training.” The rotation training includes four months at centres of general surgery, two months of internal medicine, two months of intensive care work, and one month in gynaecology and obstetrics.
Urological specialisation training ends with a final specialisation exam. A part of this exam is the completion of a habilitation thesis focusing on a chosen urological subject. After a successful completion of their residency, urologists can practice as specialists in both public and private hospitals and out-patients clinics.
This article first appeared in European Urology Today, Volume 23, Issue 5. Download EUT >
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