By Dr. Efrem Pozzi (IT)
I felt compelled to write something after this incredible experience because well, I enjoyed every single second of it.
Having participated in some activities organised by the EAU and specifically the ESU for residents in recent years, I knew what my next goal was: EUREP. This programme, which was strongly recommended by colleagues, seemed like the perfect opportunity to “make my residency great again.”
Residency, as we all know, has its ups and downs. Everyone finds themselves struggling to survive work, training, study, and when there is time, a personal life. Moreover, people expect us to be up-to-date on all the latest urological knowledge, saying, “Well, you’re residents. You’re studying. You must know everything.” You might ask, “What is EUREP’s role in this?” The programme delivers strong fundamentals and crucial updates.
At EUREP, you spend a week away from home and your “everyday hospital”, is where you are surrounded by colleagues (your counterparts from around the world) and you get the chance to learn from some of the most renowned urologists, who dedicate their time to teaching you solid fundamentals in urology.
What more could a resident ask for? Where else can you find world-class urologists dedicating an entire week to residents; ingraining the same concepts and presentations every day with the same enthusiasm; providing advice, tips and tricks; and emphasising what is truly important?
I signed up for the Non-Technical Skills Hands-on Training out of curiosity but knew nothing about it beforehand. In this unconventional course, the tutors and participants act out a scenario involving a stressful situation that can be encountered in daily practice. I felt uncomfortable watching and remembered thinking to myself, “That’s an incredibly tough situation! How could I handle something like that?”
Then came the debrief: we analysed what happened, what worsened or improved the situation for the individual, the team, and the patient. Our tutors guided us through it all, once again sharing their knowledge, answering questions, and offering valuable advice.
EUREP showed me the best aspects of urology, the EAU, and the ESU: the dedication that people have for their work, whether it is teaching a lesson, performing surgery, organising a major event, discussing cases with colleagues, or even enjoying a simple karaoke night.
I would like to give a huge massive “thank you” to everyone involved in making EUREP such an unforgettable and transformative experience for all of us. Your dedication, passion, and hard work are deeply appreciated.
