The Second Endourological Society Census Report provides key insights into the current landscape of the global endourology community, revealing both the diversity and common challenges across practice settings. The anonymous survey, distributed to all 1,502 Endourological Society members across 63 countries, encompassed 46 comprehensive questions ranging from demographics and practice patterns to the impact of COVID and future opportunities, yielding a robust 26.9% response rate over the survey period.
One major takeaway from the survey results is the strong presence of North American endourologists, who make up nearly half (46.4%) of the respondents, followed by significant representation from Western Europe (10.9%) and South America (10.5%). This highlights that while endourology is a global specialty, its strongest workforce remains concentrated in specific regions, emphasizing the need for broader outreach and support in other parts of the world.
Another important point is the considerable satisfaction within the field with 82.5% of respondents reporting being satisfied or very satisfied with their current clinical practice. However, compensation dissatisfaction was notable, with nearly a quarter (24.4%) of respondents expressing dissatisfaction with their current pay. This may reflect challenges faced by endourologists in various practice models and suggests that while endourologists are content with their work, financial considerations remain an ongoing area for improvement.
The report also sheds light on the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. About 42.4% of respondents indicated a decline in job satisfaction, often attributed to staff shortages, reduced operative efficiency, and increased administrative tasks. Furthermore, almost 60% of participants noted difficulties in managing patients post-pandemic, emphasizing the need for ongoing adaptation and resource allocation in a post-COVID healthcare environment.
Finally, WCET 2022 attendance data indicated that only 36.8% of survey participants attended the conference, with barriers such as travel costs and clinical responsibilities cited as the main reasons for not attending. These findings suggest that further efforts are needed to make conferences more accessible, particularly for members with significant clinical commitments or financial constraints.
In sum, the second census not only reinforces the importance of ongoing member engagement but also highlights areas of opportunity, including enhancing compensation, addressing post-pandemic challenges, and improving access to global events like WCET."
Written by: Malone R. Locke, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, South Carolina