ESOU goes forward with STEPS programme

With the aim to boost its links with promising young urologists specialising in urological cancers, the EAU Section of Oncological Urology (ESOU) held its second successful Sessions To Evaluate ProgresS in the management of urological cancers (STEPS) programme during the 9th ESOU Meeting held in Hamburg.

"Following the success of the first meeting last year, we also have 15 young urologists who were invited to the Meet-the-Experts session of STEPS and we are happy to introduce these young doctors to senior experts, and help them expand their learning and professional opportunities,” said ESOU chairman Prof. Maurizio Brausi.

Fifteen young doctors already practicing or with a firm career interest in uro-oncology were selected from various centers in Europe. This year the selected candidates came from Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, France and the United Kingdom.

With unrestricted educational support from Ipsen, the young doctors had a three-hour close-door case discussion on prostate, kidney and bladder cancers with Professors Michael Marberger (AT), Seth Lerner (USA) and Fritz Schröder (NL). Serving as facilitators were ESOU Board members Bob Djavan, Franck Bladou and Axel Heidenreich.

Brausi said that STEPS does not only aim to strengthen its ties with talented uro-oncological specialists but also intend to explore and identify ways that can help boost the participant’s professional network with both established and emerging experts in uro-oncology.

“This initiative from the ESOU is certainly a commendable programme since this provides young specialists like me to have a direct contact with experts,” said Dr. Rafael Sanchez-Salas from France. “And the meeting we had was not only friendly and formal but also took up the various challenges we face in our clinical practice.”

Dr. Michaela Kniess (DE) also welcomed the invitation and said that the informal meeting with the experts provided her with new insights. “We discussed not only the clinical aspects but also research opportunities, experiences in daily practice. All in all, it was a wonderful chance to acquire new perspectives regarding a career in uro-oncology,” Kniess said.

Dutch participant Anthonius J. Breeuwsma said he appreciated the rare opportunity to directly inquire from the invited experts about their views on various topics including clinical, theoretical and professional issues. “This is a very helpful programme that provides fresh insights, and which can further inspire young uro-oncology specialists in their practice,” said Breeuwsma.

Brausi said the programme will continue and will again be held next year in Rome, Italy during the ESOU's 10th anniversary meeting.

“We encourage those who are interested to apply with their respective centres,” said Brausi as he briefly mentioned that the main requirements include publications on uro-oncology in medical journals, endorsements from their mentors, with the potential candidates not older than 45 years of age at the time of endorsement.

Interested or potential candidates for the STEPS programme can inquire from the ESOU or contact Susan Heeren of the EAU Central Office for additional information at s.heeren@congressconsultants.com