Ep. 331 Transitioning an Independent Practice to an Academic Urology Program with Dr. Javier Castillo

How can private practice and academic residency programs work together to shape the next generation of urologists? On this episode of BackTable Urology, Dr. Jose Silva interviews Dr. Javier Castillo about launching an academic residency within a busy private urology group in Puerto Rico. They highlight the business, training, and research challenges involved, as well as the innovations that make real collaboration possible. Dr. Castillo also reflects on why building character in trainees is just as important as teaching surgical skill.

---

Get the BackTable apphttps://www.backtable.com/app

---

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction04:04 - Launching a Residency and Building the Practice08:13 - Teaching in the OR and Progressive Responsibility13:58 - Clinic, Administration, and Resident Training16:38 - Expanding BPH Treatment Options25:21 - Creating a Research Culture and AI Projects32:42 - AI Uroflow Project and Follow Up40:21 - BPH Case Workup and Shared Decision-Making47:11 - Patient Goals and Procedure Selection55:43 - Sacral Neuromodulation and New Technologies01:00:19 - Teaching Character and Mentorship01:03:07 - Closing Remarks

---

More about this episode

The conversation explores how to teach residents in the OR while maintaining efficiency, build a research culture, and leverage advanced technologies like AI-driven home uroflowmetry. Dr. Castillo and Dr. Silva discuss individualized BPH treatment, expanding procedural options, and aligning care with patient goals. The episode closes with practical lessons on mentorship, character, and the strategies that make a residency program thrive for both trainees and patients.

---

BackTable Urology is the go-to podcast for urologists, urologic oncologists, and urogynecologists.

Download the free BackTable app to get early access to new episodes, cases, and courses curated by physicians in your specialty.