Urology encompasses the subspecialty areas of urologic nephrology, oncology, and endocrinology; male reproductive physiology; erectile dysfunction; neurourology; pediatric urology; urinary tract stone and infection, including endourology; laparoscopic and robotic urology; trauma and reconstructive urology; urodynamics and female urology; diagnostic urology; and urinary tract obstruction.
The Department of Urology offers instruction in all of these areas to MD and graduate students and provides continuing education for the delivery of urologic care.
Continuing Education
The department offers continuing education activities throughout the year for urologic and family practitioners. These activities are conducted by the faculty, whose interests include pediatric urology, reproductive physiology and male infertility, urologic oncology, urinary tract stone (including endourology/laparoscopy), robotic surgical procedures, trauma and reconstructive urology, female urology, and prostatic diseases.
Research
The department has earned international recognition for its studies of prostatic diseases. The urological laboratories conduct research and offer instruction in experimental oncology, cellular immunology, and infertility.
The Department of Urology cooperates with several University of Iowa basic science departments to educate first-year MD students in the relationship between urology and the basic sciences. It collaborates with the Department of Microbiology and Immunology in teaching and research concerning immunology of genitourinary cancers and renal transplantation.
In the first-year MD course, MED:8134 Mechanisms of Health and Disease III, and the second-year courses, MED:8221 Clinical and Professional Skills III and MED:8224 Mechanisms of Health and Disease Keystone, the department presents illustrative lectures and demonstrations related to diagnosis and treatment of genitourinary tract diseases.
Second-, third-, and fourth-year MD students take Department of Urology courses that provide experience in all areas of urology. The department's selective two-week clerkship covers the fundamentals of these areas through experience in outpatient clinics, surgical settings, and inpatient units at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, the Iowa River Landing, and the VA Iowa City Health Care. MD students can take advanced elective courses of intensive study in any of the urologic subspecialties after completion of URO:8301 Clinical Urology.
