Study details : Urologist

What is a urologist?

Rôle and responsibilities of the urologist

As with most professions in the medical sector, the responsibilities of the urologist are multiple, specialized and demanding. Here's an overview:

• Diagnosing urological pathologies: examining symptoms, prescribing complementary tests and establishing a preventive diagnosis.
• Treat urinary and gastrointestinal disorders: suggest suitable treatments, whether medicinal, therapeutic or surgical.
• Practice surgical procedures: operate in the case of kidney stones, urological cancers, prostate pathologies and other sévères affections.
• Assuring the medical follow-up of patients: monitoring the progression of diseases and adjusting treatments according to the results.
• Prevent urological disorders: inform patients, organize screening campaigns and recommend good health practices.
• Intake advantage of technological advances: exploit innovative techniques such as robotic surgery and advanced imaging.
• Collaborate with other specialists: work in concert with oncologists, gyneacologists or neurologists to ensure complete care.

Diseases and disorders treated by this speciality;

The urologist treats a wide variety of pathologies, including:

• recurrent urinary tract infections,
• urinary incontinence,
• rural calculi,
• the bénigneous hyperplasia of the prostate,
• urological cancers (kidney, bladder, prostate, testicles),
• fertility and male sexuality disorders.

Études générales de médecine

Après le lycée

To access medical studies and consider a specialization in urology, a scientific bachelor's degree is recommended. Once this diploma is in their pocket, future doctors can choose between two routes into the faculty of medicine:

• Le Parcours Accès Santé Spécifique (PASS)

• Introduced in 2020 to replace the former Premiée Année Commune aux Études de Santé (PACES), the PASS is a year of study combining a health major; é a minor from another discipline. This structure makes it possible to diversify skills and offer avenues for reorientation.
• Students are assessed on the basis of continuous assessment and final exams.
• Those who succeed can enter the health sector.
• Those who fail can reorient themselves towards their minor's field of study before, if they wish, trying their luck again.
• The PASS approach relieves the pressure associated with the former PACES single entrance exam, while diversifying the student's skills.

• La Licence avec Accès Santé (L.AS)

• Introduced in 2020 in order to diversify the training offer in health studies, the L.AS is a program combining any major (law, humanities, economics, etc.) with a specific health minor (biology, physiology, etc.).
• At the end of the first, second or third year, and if they have passed the minimum requirements, students can apply for health studies. They then sit specific examinations. Depending on their performance, they are either rejected or admitted to the second year of medical school.
• The L.AS enables students to follow a diversified pathway, promoting skills and reorientation.

General medical studies

Once admitted to the faculty of medicine, studies are divided into two successive cycles:

• Le Diplôme de Formation Générale en Sciences Médicales (DFGSM) : This three-year curriculum (including the first year PASS or L.AS) includes theoretical instruction in basic sciences and initial hospital internships.
• Le Diplôme de Formation Approfondie en Sciences Médicales (DFASM) : These three additional years offer more specific training and reinforced hospital internships in various specialties.

L’Examen Classant National (ECN)

After six years of study, students sit the National Classifying Examinations (ECN). Their ranking determines their opportunity to enter the specialty of their choice, including urology.

Spécialisation en urologie

Once the general medical studies have been completed and the urology specialization selected, the student enters a five-year internship which includes:

• Theoretical training covering all aspects of urology, with participation in scientific seminars and conferences.
• Practical training enabling the performance of surgical procedures and the management of various urological pathologies in different hospital departments.

At the end of their training, interns must write and defend a thesis to obtain their doctorate in medicine. He then validates his Diplôme dÉtudes Spécialis;es (DES) in urology, enabling him to practice as a spécialiste and apply for job offers urologist.

Additional training

After obtaining the DES and registering with the Ordre des médecins, the urologist may choose to further specialize by taking additional training courses such as:

• Pédiatric Urology,
• Urological oncology,
• Robotic and minimally invasive surgery,
• Andrology and reproductive medicine.

These specializations can be validated by University Diplomas (DU) or Inter-University Diplomas (DIU), depending on the skills sought.

So, the path to becoming a urologist is demanding, but it offers many rewarding career prospects in a constantly evolving medical field.

Content of studies in urology 

The études d’urologie cover several essential areas:

• Anatomy and physiology: in-depth understanding of the male urinary and genital system, including the kidneys, bladder, prostate, urinary tract and testes.
• Urological pathologies: learning about common conditions such as urinary tract infections, réal calculi, béal hypertrophy of the prostate, disorders of the érection and urological cancers.
• Diagnostic methods: mastery of clinical examinations, medical imaging (MRI, CT, MRI), urodynamic tests and biopsies.
• Surgical techniques: training in endoscopic, laparoscopic and robot-assisted procedures for the treatment of tumors, urinary obstructions and malformations.
• Management of medical and post-operative treatments: prescription of medications, follow-up of patients after surgery and support for chronic pathologies.
• Prévention and dépistage: rôle in raising awareness of urological cancers, functional disorders and infections.

This program enables future urologists to develop sound practical and theoretical skills for effective patient management.

Career prospects after studying urology

Working in a public hospital or private clinic

A urologist can practice in a university hospital (CHU), a public hôpital or a private clinic. As a hospital practitioner, he or she is responsible for patient care, performs surgical procedures and participates in on-call duty. In the private sector, he can benefit from better material conditions and a more flexible working environment, but with a higher profitability requirement.

Hospital practice also enables urologists to work as part of multidisciplinary teams, facilitating the exchange of expertise with other specialists, including oncologists, radiologists and anesthesiologists. Public hospitals also offer the opportunity to participate in clinical research, contributing to the advancement of medical knowledge in urology.

Possibilité d'exercer en libéral

Freelance practice allows urologists to organize their schedules and patients according to their own criteria. Urologists can work alone or in groups with other specialists. Although this mode of practice offers greater autonomy, it requires considerable administrative and financial management.

As a freelancer, the urologist must also ensure patient loyalty and manage his or her own medical equipment, which requires a significant initial investment. However, he benefits from greater flexibility in his therapeutic and organizational choices, which can translate into a better quality of professional and personal life.

To find out more, browse our urologist salary sheet.

Évolution to positions of responsibility or teaching

With experience, a urologist will be able to rise to positions such as hospital department head, clinical director or university professor. These roles require not only clinical expertise, but also management and training skills. As a teacher, he will contribute to the transmission of knowledge to future generations of physicians and participate in scientific research in urology.

Urologists in positions of responsibility will also be able to be involved in directing research projects, developing medical recommendations and managing hospital teams. In addition, those who choose to join scientific committees or professional associations will be able to influence advances and practices in their field.

To learn more, find our fiche métier urologue.