ESU Updates
The legacy and future of the ESU The School’s achievements, milestones and its next Chair Education and postgraduate training were and still remain as fundamental undertakings of the European Association of Urology (EAU). The EAU always believed that urological education and programmes should be accessible to all urologists and urologists in training. In 1994, an official announcement was made during the General Assembly of the 11th EAU Annual Congress held in Berlin, Germany: the EAU Management Committee approved the creation and establishment of the European School of Urology (ESU). The ESU was founded to develop, organise, and oversee EAU education. In 1996, the esteemed Prof. Frits Schröder (NL) was named ESU’s first Chairman. Prof. Schröder was succeeded by fellow key opinion leaders such as Prof. Chris Chapple (GB) and Prof. Paolo Puppo (IT) who led the ESU from 2000 to 2004; followed by Prof. Prof. Hein Van Poppel (BE) from 2004 to 2012; and then by the current ESU Chair, Prof. Joan Palou (ES). For more than two decades, the ESU has dedicated its manpower and resources to offer first-rate education to young and seasoned urologists. The ESU believes that prime urological education is the product of resolute dedication, evidence-based information, and guidance of knowledgeable mentors. Read on for an overview of ESU’s growth through the years and a glimpse of what’s to come.
Prof. Palou passes the torch after years of service For eight fruitful years, the ESU was led by its distinguished Chair, Prof. Joan Palou (ES). Under his leadership, the ESU flourished: activities have increased, ESU’s reach broadened, innovative programmes were developed, more talented and enthusiastic urologists joined the ESU. The ESU also formed close collaborations with all the sections of the EAU and the Guidelines Office. Prof. Palou encapsulated ESU’s greatest achievements into teamwork, credibility and standardisation. “Teamwork facilitated the evolution of the ESU because with clear objectives in mind, we
Prof. Palou at EUREP back in 2012 brainstormed and executed plans as a solid team. On credibility, we are forthcoming with our activities and how we create and maintain relationships. We deliver what we pledged to do. What we offer was and continues to be tried and tested. The pathways of ESU activities have promoted efficiency, consistency and reliability which contributed to standardisation,” he explained. The ESU puts great importance on the well-being of urologists which is linked to education. Prof. Palou cited the results of the 2019 study ‘Prevalence of and Predictive Factors for Burnout Among French Urologists in Training’ by Dr. Jérôme Gas, et al. The study stated that in addition to a well-balanced lifestyle, the feeling of being well-trained is a strong protective factor against burnout. “Good urological education also improves how they manage the stress and the demands that this profession entails. Consequently, good education positively affects their performance and the welfare of their patients,” said Prof. Palou. Urology is his calling What inspired Prof. Palou to choose urology as his specialty? How did all begin? “It was clear from the start. I always knew I wanted to focus on a surgical specialty. The pivotal moment was during my third year at medical school when my grandfather had undergone prostatic surgery. Dr. Francisco Bedós was the surgeon and his performance of the procedure impressed me. That singular event motivated me to pursue urology as my own specialty. In the years to come, Dr. Bedós and I became good friends until his recent passing at age 94. He was an excellent clinician and surgeon, and a remarkable human being.”
Profs. Liatsikos and Palou with the rest of the expert faculty of the ESU-ESUT lasers masterclass in 2014 24
European Urology Today
Prof. Palou initially offered his expertise and service to the ESU in 2010 as an ESU Board member. In 2012, he was designated as Chair of the ESU during the Annual EAU Congress, which took place in Paris, France. In the same year, he became a faculty member of the European Urology Residents Education Programme (EUREP), one of ESU’s highly-regarded teaching programmes for final-year residents. Prof. Palou pioneered e-learning at the EAU. He proposed and determined the format of the EAU Guidelines courses, and supported specialisation courses which included the e-courses. Together with two members of the ESU board whose responsibilities included e-learning, Prof. Palou oversaw the projects and plans of ESU’s online education.
With fellow experts at ESU’s NMIBC masterclass in 2018
The hands-on trainings (HOT) increased with more activities and areas of expertise in urology. The creation of the training group of the ESU has led to a standardised methodology in training education and evaluation of the skills and learning process. A “teach the teacher programme” was also launched to improve the aptitude of the trainers. Prof. Palou also represented the EAU at the Confederación Americana de Urología Residents Education Programme (CAUREP), a prestigious programme formed years ago as a joint initiative of the EAU and the CAU. The CAUREP was modelled after EUREP and continues to offers the Hispanic urological community learning opportunities and updates pertinent to the region. The ESU continues the implementation of the EUREP format to future programmes and adapt it to the needs of a country and/or region such as the new ESU programmes in Asia. Bidding farewell “I always believed that education is a neverending journey. Technologies, information and teaching methodologies will continue to evolve, and the ESU will transform and improve with them. I am confident that the next ESU Chair will be highly capable of pursuing new ventures and upholding the ESU standards,” shared Prof. Palou.
Supporting Urology Week with peers from the Philippine Having a laugh with Prof. Jeroen Van Moorselaar at Urological Association dinner after an ESU event
Prof. Liatsikos stated some of his goals for the ESU, which include: 1. Raise funds from EU grants through standardisation of teaching and surgical education 2. Use online activities to reach out to colleagues who are not part of the ESU family yet 3. Continue with collaborations with national societies “Through different national societies, we can disseminate information about ESU’s structured training, which is designed for urologists at various levels. In addition, when national societies adopt these programmes at a local level, this will further enhance the visibility of the EAU undergraduate platform and ESU activities such as ART in Flexible, EUREP, UROBESTT, masterclasses, and many more,” said Prof. Liatsikos. 4. Maintain and strengthen cooperation with various EAU sections 5. Train the trainers According to Prof. Liatsikos, training the trainers is a programme that the ESU will continue to expand by training an intercontinental group of experts , who will also be ESU’s ambassadors in their respective countries. “My impetus has always been: keep an eye on the goal, work hard and deliver. My objectives will centre on helping to raise the level of urological care, carry out the goals of the EAU and the ESU, and prepare the young promising urologists because they’re the next in line,” Prof. Liatsikos concluded.
“It has been a pleasure to have served the ESU and collaborated with skilled and dedicated colleagues. It’s fulfilling to know that ESU’s impact is evident; participants go back to their countries and to their clinical practice with updated knowledge and renewed vigour. In consequence, this impact improves patient care, encourages new research, and further pushes the progress of the field. These are ESU’s legacy and it’s been an honour to be part of it.” Aspirations for the ESU “I’ve been in close collaboration with Prof. Palou for years and under his guidance, we’ve achieved a standardisation of education for urologists of all levels of experience,” shared ESU Chair Elect and Chief of the Department of Urology at the University Hospital of Patras in Greece, Prof. Evangelos Liatsikos (GR). He continued, “Since its inception, the ESU demonstrated hard work and unwavering commitment for its aims which are evident in its successes. It wouldn’t be easy to find what significant changes are still needed, just minor realignments that could further enhance the dynamics of the school.”
At a 2016 board meeting held in Noordwijk, the Netherlands August/September 2020