The Department of Urology at the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine offers a unique environment for outstanding candidates to pursue advanced training in prostate diseases (benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer). During your training period, your responsibilities will increase with your experience, ability, and performance. You will become highly skilled in the multidisciplinary management of prostate diseases and gain extensive clinical and research tool experience in this field, setting you up for success in an academic career.

From the moment you step onto the campus, you will notice our care for people is different. We firmly believe in putting patient needs first, which is the cultural foundation that unites every healthcare provider, scientist, student, and trainee under one mission—to bring hope and healing to the world—one person at a time.

1. In a one-on-one setting, gain understanding and perform prostate biopsies, innovative surgeries for benign prostatic hyperplasia, and radical surgeries for prostate cancer (laparoscopic and robotic approaches).

2. Direct interaction with faculty members who, in addition to caring for patients in clinical practice, are dedicated to teaching and advancing medical knowledge. Our faculty are recognized leaders in the field of prostate diseases, with their research contributing to Chinese guidelines and long-standing involvement in training programs for the diagnosis and treatment of prostate diseases.

3. Participate in daily morning rounds as part of a small team, working alongside a surgeon. During rounds, introduce new patients, review inpatient management, and hold educational meetings. Attend the department's weekly clinical case discussions on Monday evenings, as well as study sessions on cutting-edge guidelines and literature.

4. Outstanding research opportunities: During this period, trainees will have ample opportunities to participate in or complete clinical research projects.

The purpose of our program is to enhance the comprehensive diagnostic and treatment capabilities for prostate diseases and clinical scientific research skills of our trainees through a series of training sessions, including the integrated management of outpatient and inpatient care, surgical training, and clinical research training. By participating in clinical, translational, and basic research training for prostate diseases (prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia), we also aim to provide our advanced trainees with a solid foundation in clinical research, laying the groundwork for a successful career in academic medicine. Dedicated research time and resources will enable our trainees to develop and execute independent research projects, with appropriate guidance.

The program provides a full-time, 3 to 6-month training experience. In special circumstances, arrangements can be made for other lengths of training depending on your needs and interests.

• Fellows: Qualified applicants for our Fellowship must have completed a general surgery residency program at an accredited institution.

• Residents: To be eligible for the Urology residency, you must have successfully completed a board-approved program in general surgery. 

Focus Areas & Subspecialties:

1. Benign Prostate hyperplasia

2. PSA elevating and prostate biopsy

3. Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy

4. Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy (RARP)

5. TVERP/TVEP

6. Clinical research of prostate cancer

Skills:

1. Basic surgical skills: prostate biopsy.

2. Laparoscopic Skills: Resection, sealing and cutting, delicate dissection, urethral reconstruction etc.

3. Endourology: TVERP,TVERP, Dayu scapel TVERP/TVEP

Monday

1st Week: introduction & welcome, program overview and objectives

Weekly: MDT conferences, complicated case study

Topics:

1. Prostate diseases

2. Pathology of prostate cancer

3. The selection of treatment plans for urological cancers, including surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and endocrine therapy.

4. Journal club and guidelines reading

Tuesday

Weekly: Outpatient observation, Academic lecture, Basic surgical skills training

Biweekly: Mentor one-on-one training

-Major themes:

1. Diagnosis of BPH and prostate cancer

2. Prostate biopsy

Wednesday

Weekly: Clinical rounds, Surgery Observation

Biweekly: Simulated surgery training

-Topics:

1. Prostate biopsy (AI-assisted)

2. Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy (RARP)

3. TVERP/TVEP

Thursday

Weekly: Complicated case study, Case-based discussion

Biweekly: Surgery hands-on

1. MDT learning of Advanced Prostate Cancer

2. Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy (RARP)

Friday

Weekly: Journal club, Clinical rounds, Clinical skills training, Special task training

Last Week: Wrap-Up & Reflection, Participant presentations or discussion of key takeaways, Feedback session (e.g. online survey or live Q&A)

After each rotation, each faculty member evaluates each fellow according to core competencies of patient care, medical knowledge, practice-based learning and improvement, interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism, and system-based practice. Faculty members meet with fellows individually for verbal feedback and evaluation. For endoscopy, technical competence is evaluated through specifically designed evaluation forms, a simulator laboratory, and through a semiannual skills assessment program. Monthly, an aggregate evaluation of a fellow's clinical progress is conducted through a clinical competency faculty committee.

The program is free of charge.