The Department of Urology at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Zhejiang, China) offers a 3-month urological surgery training program for second- or third-year residents or fellows from outside China who wish to pursue a career in urology. Clinical training throughout the program follows a mentorship model. Each subspecialty assigns a trainee to a mentor (group leader), with a full-time assistant mentor overseeing communication and problem-solving. The Department of Urology is considered one of the best urology centers in China, ranking among the top 10 for the past decade. You can gain experience in all areas of urology in our department. Throughout 2025, we performed over 3000 robotic and other minimally invasive surgeries, including PCNL and FANS.

1. This course is supported by a strong department and an experienced faculty team. It provides step-by-step training across three key dimensions: theoretical instruction, hands-on practice, and practical application. The program aims to help surgical trainees develop better surgical skills and patient care.

2. This program dedicates substantial course time to self-directed practice sessions. It adopts a student-centered approach, with instructors serving as guides, enabling participants to acquire genuine and practical operational skills.

1. Master clinical skills in diagnosing and treating basic urological diseases.

2. Cultivate expertise in a multidisciplinary (MDT) approach to managing complex urological cases.

3. Be proficient in anatomic structures and procedural steps of eight common urological surgeries.

4. Independent practice in the simulation of cystoscopy performance.

5. Independent practice in the simulation of laparoscopic performance.

      6. Practice simulating robotic performance.

The program lasts 3 months. (up to 6 months if the trainee would like to learn a particular surgical technique in depth)

Focus areas & Subspecialties:

1. Laparoscopic & robotic-assisted urological surgery: Focused on standardized and precise laparoscopic and da Vinci robotic procedures for upper and lower urinary tract diseases, including renal tumor partial nephrectomy, radical nephrectomy, adrenalectomy, radical prostatectomy, and bladder surgery.

2. Endourology & urinary stone management: Specialized in minimally invasive endoscopic treatment of complex urinary calculi, including flexible ureteroscopy, rigid ureteroscopic lithotripsy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), and minimally invasive management of recurrent and complicated stone disease.

3. Urologic oncology minimally invasive therapy: Concentrated on minimally invasive surgical strategies for genitourinary malignancies, emphasizing oncological safety, precise resection, functional preservation, and improved long-term prognosis.

4. Reconstructive urology (minimally invasive): Experienced in minimally invasive reconstruction of urinary tract stricture, obstruction, and postoperative defect repair, focusing on minimally invasive techniques to reduce surgical trauma and accelerate postoperative recovery.

Clinical outcomes & prognosis research: Devoted to the evaluation of surgical efficacy, complication analysis, and long-term prognostic follow-up of different minimally invasive urological surgical approaches.

Clinical training throughout the observership follows a mentorship model. Each subspecialty will have the trainee assigned to a mentor (group leader), with a full-time assistant mentor overseeing communication and problem-solving.

[Week 1-3] Theme: Oncology-prostate and kidney cancer

-Introduction & welcome, program overview, brief department tour

-Outpatient and consulting observation

-Clinical rounds and MDT conferences

-Case study and lecture on prostate and kidney cancer

-Observation and hands-on participation in surgery for prostate and kidney cancer

-Simulation practice of laparoscopic and/or robotic surgery

[Week 4-6] Theme: oncology-bladder cancer and upper urinary tract urothelial cancer (UTUC)

-Outpatient and consulting observation

-Clinical rounds and MDT conferences

-Case study and lecture on bladder cancer

-Observation and hands-on participation in surgery for bladder cancer and UTUC

-Simulation practice of cystoscopy

[Week 7-9] Theme: urolithiasis

-Outpatient and consulting observation

-Clinical rounds and MDT conferences

-Case study and lecture on sepsis

-Observation and hands-on participation in surgery for UT stones

[Week 10-12] Theme: UT repair and reconstruction

-Outpatient and consulting observation

-Clinical rounds and MDT conferences

-Case study and lecture on UT injury, pelvic disorders and urinary incontinence

-Observation and hands-on participation in surgery for complex UT repair and reconstruction

Wrap-up & feedback: participants' presentations of key takeaways, certificate awarding, and providing suggestions for the program

By the end of the training, the supervising instructors will conduct quiz and assessments, provide feedback, and address any questions or clarifications.

The program is free of charge.