Pursuing fellowship training: There are no traffic jams along the extra mile

Fellowship training typically consists of 1–3 years of additional specialized training once an individual has completed general urological residency training. These positions provide experience across a cadre of urology sub-specialties, including pediatrics, oncology, reconstruction, etc. The decision to pursue fellowship training is often multifactorial and may include gaining more experience in a particular area of urology that was not emphasized during residency, subspecialized training prior to starting an academic junior faculty position, and having the opportunity to train and learn under world leaders. Unlike the competitive urological residency-matching process, the decision to pursue fellowship training may be more difficult, even though the ability to secure a position is generally easier. Urology training in Canada has witnessed many changes over the past two decades, primarily increasing from 15 residency training positions in 2002 to 31 in 2011.1 This has increased further to 35 positions for the 2017 Canadian Resident-Matching Service (CaRMS).2 Given the enticing option of starting clinical practice after residency training vs. pursuing fellowship training, in the words of Dallas Cowboys Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach, “There are no traffic jams along the extra mile.