Center of Excellence: Department of Urology, Puigvert Foundation

What the trainees said

Ζachos Ioannis

Evaluation of the Center

During the 07/11 – 14/11/2010 period, due to my participation in the Urotour Programme, I had the opportunity to observe the daily activities of a model Urology Centre, the Puigvert Foundation in Barcelona, which is close to the city's historical center and composes a separate part of San Pau Hospital. The Urology Department comprises the Clinic, with 55 beds and 3 separate departments, as far as medical and nursing staff are  concerned: The Oncology, Andrology and Endourology Departments. On the first day, we were welcomed by Associate Professor Dr. Palou, Head of the Oncology Department, who gave us a tour of Hospital facilities, introduced us to the medical staff and provided us with a schedule for the duration of our stay, which included 3 days of observation in the Oncology Department and 2 days in the Andrology Department. In the Oncology Department we observed the daily updates through the presentation of cases, which was then followed by surgery. On a day to day basis there are 4 operating theaters which run until late at night. Thus, we had the opportunity to observe a multitude of surgical procedures (open, laparoscopic, robotic and intraurethral). In this Centre, approximately 280 Laparoscopic radical prostatectomies are carried out annually, as well as around 180 Laparoscopic radical nephrectomies. The Department is staffed with fully qualified surgeons, follows a well-organized training programme as far as Interns are concerned, while the overall behaviour of the staff was flawless. Our communication was excellent, since everyone is truly competent in English. The Andrology and Infertility Department is accredited to award specialisation qualification certificates after two years’ attendance following internship. It comprises the Outpatient Clinic and the Lab for IV fertilisation and sperm freezing, while it is visited by approximately 10,000 patients annually. On the first day of our visit to this department, we observed the Outpatient Clinic while on the second day we had the opportunity to observe several andrology surgical procedures, such as varicocelectomy, hydrocele, urethra plastic surgery, penile prosthesis insertion procedures, etc. In general, this is a comphrehensive, very well-organized Urology Center with specialized staff where the entire range of urological procedures are performed.

Κalyvianakis Dimitrios

Evaluation of the Center

Within the framework of Urotour, I had the opportunity to visit the Urology Department of Fundacio Puigvent in Barcelona during the 07/11 – 14/11/2010 period. The Urology Clinic comprises 3 separate departments, which are independent as far as medical and nursing staff and patient wards/surgeries are concerned. Upon our arrival at the hospital, we were welcomed by Dr. Palou, who is the Head of the Oncology Department. After our initial briefing on how the clinic operates, we were taken on a tour of the hospital and introduced to the rest of the staff. Following our discussion about our interests, our time was divided into 3 days in the Oncology Department and 2 days in the Andrology and Infertility Department. The third Department manages lithiasis, incontinence, BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) cases. The interaction of the clinic's entire staff with us was exemplary. From an administrative point of view everything was properly organized (filling out documents, supply of work suit/scrubs, supply of coupons for food at the hospital cafeteria). In the Oncology Department some lectures were delivered by Dr. Palou specifically for us. In the morning we observed the oncology consultation being held and the discussion of cases, after which we had the opportunity to observe numerous surgical procedures (open, laparoscopic, robotic, intraurethral). In total, on a daily basis, there were 4 operating theaters that worked until late at night. The surgeons were instructors and were more than happy to answer our every question. As far as communication was concerned, there were no problems since everyone spoke English well. The Andrology and Infertility Department employs approximately 15 people (Andrologists, Endocrinologists, Gynaecologists and Reproductive Biologists) and has its own lab for in vitro fertilisation and sperm freezing. It is visited by approximately 10,000 patients annually. The first day included a visit to the Outpatient Clinic (Infertility and Andrology), while on the second day we observed a variety of surgical procedures (varicocelectomy, hydrocele, urethra plastic surgery, penile prosthesis insertion, etc.). Our overall impression regarding the Centre was excellent. Members of staff are well qualified and offer patients high quality health services. Administrative support was excellent (patient flow, electronic files, accommodation infrastructure). All of the above were combined with scientific work (papers, seminars held at the hospital). Furthermore, the Andrology and Infertility Department is is accredited to award specialisation qualification certificates after two years’ attendance following internship.