Jefferson Hosts AUA

Bladder catheterization skills station.

Each year, the American Urologic Association (AUA) Office of Education sponsors a “Fundamentals in Urology Course” primarily designed for junior residents. It includes didactic lectures and hands-on skills training. The goal is to ensure that all residents have the same basic level of clinical knowledge. The Rector Clinical Skills and Simulation Center of Thomas Jefferson University served as the venue for the “Hands-on” skills component of the AUA meeting. On Sunday, July 10, 2022, 80 urology residents attending the meeting were able to utilize the simulation-based teaching tools and task-trainers to-in a simulated albeit credible environment-perform several invasive clinical skills sets that are fundamental to the practice of urologic surgery. The skills sets, which were taught and coached at the Center, included activities such as effective placement of various types of urinary bladder catheters, the performance of transrectal ultrasound for diagnostic purposes, and the performance of transurethral endoscopic procedures. Our Jefferson Urology residents, Drs. Halle Foss and Radhika Ragam, contributed to the program. They presented during a panel discussion titled, “Things I wish I knew at the start of residency.”

The different skills were taught by faculty from the AUA and produced by the professional staff at the Rector Center under the direct supervision of our Center’s Director of Operations, Rob Hargraves, and one of the Center’s

Simulation Program Coordinators, Richard Chan. The production of these venues flowed almost flawlessly due to the high quality of the program developed by the AUA team and the outstanding work performed by these two individuals. Dr. Tracey Krupski, one of the AUA program directors, sent a complimentary letter to us concerning the experience of the faculty and attendees. Jefferson’s Department of Urology is proud of this world facility (pictured left). Clinical Skills and Simulation Center is directed by Drs. Kate and Dale Berg, and we appreciate the opportunity to have the center highlighted used by our Urologic colleagues. Different urology clinical skill stations are shown.