Practice Management

"We increasingly see the evolving role of ‘precision medicine’ in urology, using genetic and genomic testing to guide [management] for a variety of diseases, particularly bladder and prostate cancer," says 1 urologist.

“The science on pain care has advanced over the past six years,” said Debbie Dowell, MD, MPH, chief clinical research officer for CDC’s Division of Overdose Prevention.

Cybersecurity training is vital because it is mandated by HIPAA.

The Optilume drug-coated balloon catheter system is approved by the FDA for the treatment of men with urethral strictures.

"Although Medicare has developed previous coverage directives for several types of PCR tests outside of UTI detection and there are sound arguments for the use of PCR tests in detecting UTIs, Medicare only recently published a local coverage determination that included the use of PCR tests for UTI detection," write Jonathan Rubenstein, MD, and Mark Painter.

The report showed that urology was among the physician positions least likely to be filled.

"The way in which real property is titled will affect how it is transferred during the administration of an estate after death," says Jeff Witz, CFP.

"Trusts are a powerful estate planning tool designed to safeguard your children in the event of your premature death," writes Jeff Witz, CFP.

eCoin is a new technology for the management of bladder overactivity that is implanted near the posterior tibial nerve subcutaneously.

“Individuals in all workplaces have the right to a safe environment, out of harm’s way and free of intimidation or reprisal,” said AMA President Jack Resneck Jr., MD.

"For several reasons, the percutaneous nephrolithotomy codes needed to be revised, as the language of the descriptor and what was included and not included was confusing and ambiguous," write Jonathan Rubenstein, MD, and Mark Painter.

Here is what patients experience enrolling in and participating in Medicare.

Workplace burnout among physicians is approaching crisis levels worldwide – possibly the highest levels seen in the history of health care systems, according to a recent study.

On January 1, the following CPT code will be active: 55867 (laparoscopy, surgical prostatectomy, simple subtotal [including control of postoperative bleeding, vasectomy, meatotomy, urethral calibration and/or dilation, and internal urethrotomy], includes robotic assistance, when performed).

"Going into the upcoming application cycle, I am now a bit more excited and a little less terrified," writes Leah Ashton, MD.

At each stage, health care providers have different priorities and goals, and the choice of medical software solutions should be made accordingly.

“This research highlights the importance of using electronic health records in a way that promotes interoperability to streamline processes, speed up decision-making, reduce wasted time and ultimately improve patient health outcomes,” said Kate Trout, PhD.

The study authors call health care worker burnout a “parallel pandemic that will be felt for many years to come.”

"The most important thing I feel I've learned in my life so far is the value of human interaction and human connection," says Mark S. Litwin, MD, MPH.

“When we looked at the topics within urology that are covered, either in the preclinical or clinical years, what became very surprising to us is that these highly relevant topics like urologic emergencies, bladder drainage, and erectile dysfunction—less than 1 in 5 students had exposure to during medical school,” says Jessica Kreshover, MD.

A new survey found that despite greater awareness of the issue, little progress has been made in the battle against physician burnout.

Kelvin Moses, MD, PhD, interviews Tracy M. Downs, MD, about progress and remaining challenges regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field of urology.

“There is so much support and so much advocacy to work and create an equitable culture for women in this historically male-dominated field,” says Casey Kowalik, MD.

For CPT 55866, it is typical to remove the seminal vesicles as part of procedure.

“We started in 2020 and so far, we’ve had 193 mentors and 126 mentees,” says Micha Cheng, MD, MPH, MS.

Most urologists received less than $1000 last year, data reveal.

The study looked at the financial impact of CMS’s 2021 expansion of its time-based billing guidelines to include time spent on previously unreimbursed tasks associated with patient visits.

“It’s hard to see yourself in a field when there are not that many residents or faculty that look like you,” says Micha Cheng, MD, MPH, MS.

“A physician struggling under an unbearable weight of emotions, or going to work feeling like they are enduring emotional trauma can have trickle down emotional effects on family members,” writes physician and US Navy veteran Caitlin Delaney, MD.

“We still need better representation from the AUA national level on down to the section meeting. There is a positive push for that, but things are still in process,” says Danica May, MD.