Opinion
Video
Enhancing Patient-Centric Management in OAB in 2024 and Beyond
Panelists conclude their discussion by reflecting on key learnings and sharing advice for patient-centric management in overactive bladder (OAB) treatment, specifically focusing on effective communication and overlooked aspects of patient care. They offer guidance to other providers on enhancing patient experiences, particularly with procedures like Botox. The episode wraps up with each expert sharing their final thoughts and anticipations for advancements in OAB treatment in 2024, highlighting their commitment to addressing patient needs in this evolving field.
Transcript:
Dr. Kennelly: So it seems like you both have really patient-centric management in regards to all the therapies, specifically for in -practice treatments, such as Botox therapy. Any advice you'd give to some of our colleagues listening here, what could they do? to enhance that patient experience that may be something simple? I know, Dr. Eilber, you actually mentioned you modified things recently, but I'll have each of you say what things could they do?
Dr Eilber: I think the two things that people really fear are the catheterization, and that they will happen the middle of the night. So I think it's the same as when we're young. giving those post -procedure instructions, you say there is, and the patients get their first injection, of course, there is a risk of retention. It is very low. However, it doesn't happen instantaneously. We'll see you at two weeks. And if you're retaining a lot then, we can teach you how to empty your bladder. If you feel you're struggling more and more, call us, we'll see you sooner. But I can tell them in good conscience, I've never had anybody go into a cube retention. you know, within that timeframe because of that. And so I think that's really what people fear is that they're going to go into acute retention, no one's going to be around. And that's not really how it works.
Dr. Kennelly: And Dr. Benson? Yeah, two things. The first, get it out of the operating room, if you can, and move it to your office.
Dr. Benson: That'd be the single biggest thing. I can't tell you how many patients come to my practice that have been out. elsewhere and they say, you're not going to take me to the operating room and sedate me. And some of these have had, you know, eight, 10, 12, 20 injections and every time they're going to the operating room. So I first say, look at your practice model, try to take it out of the operating room. And then secondly is follow your data and follow your patient satisfaction data because if you're wondering whether it's working, it's really helpful. for you to somehow quantify that for yourself because it's a reinforcing tool to really help you to think about using it. Because there's very few things that we do with the exception of perhaps a sling that's so satisfying to patients, that's so reinforcing for not only you, but your staff. So we share these data with their staff, and we share kind of success data and stuff because it helps everybody on the team reinforce that central goal, which is we want effective care for patients. So really do take a methodologic way of looking at this and say, hey, how are we doing with this and strive to improve with it?
Dr. Kennelly: Well, I think those are fantastic ideas and I'm sure they can be implemented. I just want to let you know this has been a fantastic discussion. It's been very interactive and lively your experts within your field. But before I conclude, I'd like to get some final thoughts from each of you. Really, what are you looking forward to in 2024, really to address the needs of the OAB landscape. And Dr. Benson, I'll start with you.
Dr. Benson: For myself, it's the implantable tibial. You know, I think that that's going to be a game changer. It's going to open the landscape open to a lot more people. And I think that the other thing is perhaps looking at instead of a tiered therapy approach that whether it be through societies, through ourselves that we look at this to say, do we have to go through A to get to B to get to C? Or can we go through A to get to C? take a more-broad approach to offering more effective care sooner? So I hope that there will be a move of foot that we can ultimately change the ability to get patients care quicker and more efficiently.
Dr. Eilber: That was going to be my exact sentiment. Whether it happens in 2024 or whatever year, but I would love to get rid of some of these insurers that require patients fail. Multiple medications before moving on to other therapies. I think, yes, having the implantable tibial will be a game changer for a lot of people, but it is sometimes disappointing when you really want to offer something to a patient and they just cannot afford it. And you just watch them struggle. And these are people who would be fine, take medication. They're a little too scared to do something invasive and yet the only medication they can afford is the one that gives them corpus. A horrible side effect. So I do hope that the way our algorithm is in terms of approving the third line therapies changes soon.
Dr. Kennelly: Well, that's fantastic. Once again, I'd like to thank Dr. Kevin Benson. I'd like to thank Dr. Eilber, also to our viewing audience tonight. We hope that you found this few points discussion informative and hope that it'll benefit your practice.
*Video transcript is AI-generated and reviewed by Urology Times® editorial staff.
