“Collaboration Through Communication”: The Young Urology Researchers Organisation (YURO)

Abstract

In an ideal world, research to investigate the effects of a phenomenon would be measured on a population scale. The benefits of open access and lateral sharing of resources, data and staff across clinical centres are extensive. Unfortunately, logistics often limit study sample sizes to single centre cohorts whose findings may be influenced by confounding factors and are not translatable to the wider community. To combat this, multi-centre trials have been endorsed to upscale the statistical power and significance of scientific research findings to benefit patients and clinicians alike. Large-scale multicentre trials such as STAMPEDE [1] are clear examples of how findings of relationships of causality are strengthened through larger sample sizes. Such studies are often birthed through significant financial support and networks that senior clinicians built through years of practice, or by large well funded trials groups such as the Australian and New Zealand Urogenital and Prostate (ANZUP) Cancer Trials Group.Certainly, younger and more inexperienced researchers seldom get the chance to contribute to the existing large-scale collaboration projects and few structured avenues are available to advise and support those who are new to healthcare research. Juniors and trainees have found it difficult to acquire the requisite skills to produce high quality work and it is often presumed sometimes incorrectly, that with time and career development, these skills will be cultivated without the aid of a formal body to do so.With the recent advent of social media and communication technologies, the ability of professionals to network and communicate has never been greater. Further to this, involvement of senior clinicians in these forums and online dialogue allows for teaching and review of junior researchers and trainees. It is this innovative style of interaction and cooperation that has led to the formation of several groups driven by young researchers, guided by senior clinicians, that have the aim of producing high-quality research through collaborative efforts.The Young Urology Researchers Organisation (YURO) is one such organization, formed by a select few likeminded people, with the intention of contributing to the wider academic community of Australian urological research. The group was legitimized in 2016 with its first annual assembly at the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand's annual scientific meeting. Run exclusively by its members, the organization aims to increase the validity of its research efforts by combining data and findings across multiple institutions. Currently, representatives from over 9 clinical sites including rural Victoria and New Zealand are involved, with plans to expand into other states. Members communicate via several avenues including formal committee meetings, a website [2] an online project log available to all members and a centralized email account. This open online forum affords members the ability to bounce project ideas off one another, review fellow colleague's work and...

Predictive factors for publication of abstracts at the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Annual Scientific Congress

“…Collaborative efforts by trainees internationally have resulted in high-impact research. 26 Australian equivalents for General Surgery 27 and Urology 28 have recently been established and the results of these efforts will be excitingly awaited.…”

Citation indices for social media articles in urology

“…This cross‐over between SoMe and urology may strengthen the influence of SoMe in academia. Additionally, the use by trainees and younger urologists will also be a driving force as they become more familiar and SoMe is now forming a key part of many training programmes, as yet another non‐technical skill they must master .…”

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“…23,24 Similar collective networks have been established in South Africa, and are proposed for sub-Saharan Africa 25 and Australia. 26…”