Background:

In 2015, genitourinary medicine (GUM) filled 46% of its national training numbers.  Reasons for low recruitment are unclear. In February, GUM exhibited at the Royal College of Physicians' (RCP) Medical Careers Day attended by undergraduates (UGs) and junior doctors (JDs).

Aim:  

We aimed to assess the factors that attract and deter delegates from choosing a career in GUM.

Methods: 

A survey was conducted amongst delegates who visited the GUM stall at the Careers Day.  

Results: 

93%(25/27) of delegates who visited the stall completed the survey (14 UGs, 8 foundation year (FY) doctors, 3 other).  33%(8/24) would like a career in GUM (54%(13/24) not sure; 13%(3/24) were not interested in GUM).  92%(23/25) would like/have liked a rotation in GUM as a JD. 76%(19/25) were exposed to GUM in medical school (86% FYs, 50% UGS).  One delegate had done a rotation in GUM as a FY.  The table shows the main factors that attract delegates to or deter them from a career in GUM:

Attracts                                      Number of delegates	

“Variety/interesting speciality”	                 11	
Work-life balance	                                  7	
Research opportunities	                          4		
HIV                                                            4		

Deters	                                   Number of delegates

Lack of inpatient work	                           3
Lack of exposure to GUM	                   5

Conclusion:

This survey shows that there is interest in GUM at UG/JD level.  A variety of factors appealed to delegates, with fewer deterrents, of which “lack of exposure” predominated.  Delegates would like GUM rotations as JDs.  Optimising exposure to GUM within medical schools and JD rotations should be a priority in order to attract trainees to GUM.

Lack of exposure to genitourinary medicine (GUM) is leading to a recruitment crisis