BackTable Urology BackTable

In this episode of Backtable Urology, Dr. Suzette Sutherland invites Dr. Seth Cohen (City of Hope) and Dr. Michelle Leach (UC San Diego) to explore the importance and impact of advocacy work in the field of urology, highlighting how physicians can wield their influence to affect change within their communities and the healthcare system at large.

Dr. Cohen and Dr. Leach first discuss their personal journeys into advocacy work, the projects they’ve been involved in, and the tangible changes they have helped make, including a resident book club and increasing access to sacral neuromodulation. They both emphasize the importance of physician involvement in advocacy at both the beginning and throughout their careers. They also provide practical advice on participating in professional organizations (AUA, AMA, etc.) and the importance of surveys in guiding advocacy efforts. The discussion concludes with encouragement for medical professionals to engage in policy and advocacy to safeguard their practice and enhance patient care.

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SHOW NOTES

00:00 - Introduction
16:50 - Real-World Success Stories
25:36 - Navigating the Complexities of Health Policy and Advocacy
33:06 - The Importance of Membership in Professional Organizations
36:14 - Highlighting Urology’s Influence in Health Policy
45:14 - The AUA Summit Experience
55:23 - The Value of Engagement and Advocacy

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RESOURCES

Ep. 82- Advocacy Basics for the Urologist: From Your Clinic to Capitol Hill with Dr. Ruchika Talwar
https://www.backtable.com/shows/urology/podcasts/82/advocacy-basics-for-the-urologist-from-your-clinic-to-capitol-hill

Ep. 154- Navigating Healthcare Reform: Lessons from Urology Advocacy with Dr. Mara Holton
https://www.backtable.com/shows/urology/podcasts/154/navigating-healthcare-reform-lessons-from-urology-advocacy

In this episode, Clint Davis, Senior Vice President & General Counsel at HealthTronics joins Dr. Silva to discuss the nuances of physician-industry partnerships in urology, focusing on mobile equipment services like shockwave lithotripsy and ureteroscopy.

First, they delve into the Stark Law restrictions on physician referrals and the unique legal status of lithotripsy services. The conversation also covers partnership benefits, compliance strategies for different services, the importance of due diligence, and considerations for physicians looking to invest in or maintain ancillary income through such partnerships. Additionally, they explore the impact of the Federal Sunshine Act on partnership reporting obligations, as well as advice for navigating hospital policies and ensuring legal and financial protections when engaging in these partnerships.

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SHOW NOTES

00:00 - Introduction
06:38 - Exploring Physician Partnerships and Investment Models
10:28 - Navigating Legal and Regulatory Aspects of Urology Partnerships
12:43 - Investment Strategies and Compliance for Urologists
21:42 - Addressing Common Concerns and Opportunities in Urology Partnerships
34:53 - Advice on Urology Partnerships

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RESOURCES

HealthTronics
https://www.healthtronics.com/

In this episode of the BackTable Urology, Dr. Lindsay Hampson (UCSF), Dr. Gina Badalato (Columbia), and Dr. Max Bowman (UCSF) delve into leadership development during urology residency.

First, Dr. Bowman shares his journey towards leadership, starting from his junior residency years and leading up to his current chief resident role and soon-to-be faculty position at UCSF. Max discusses the importance of setting clear expectations, direct communication, and maintaining friendships despite hierarchical differences in residency. The conversation also highlights the benefits of proactive mentorship, the persistent pursuit of leadership opportunities, and the value of leading by example. The urologists then summarize intentional leadership development in medical training and offer advice for residents and early career faculty aiming to enhance their leadership skills.

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SHOW NOTES

00:00 - Introduction
07:37 - Intentional Leadership Development
17:51 - Balancing Friendship and Authority
20:42 - Crafting a Culture of Leadership
32:44 - Seeking and Embracing Leadership Opportunities

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RESOURCES

Episode 145 - Urology Training: From Intern to Expert with Dr. Gina Badalato and Dr. Lindsay Hampson
https://www.backtable.com/shows/urology/podcasts/145/urology-training-from-intern-to-expert

This week on BackTable Urology, Dr. Suzette Sutherland (University of Washington) and Dr. Drew Peterson (Duke University) explore the psychological and clinical challenges faced by genitourinary cancer survivors dealing with the urological consequences of cystectomy and urinary diversion.

First, they delve into the “Terrible Urological Five”, a set of criteria indicating when it might be necessary to consider cystectomy and urinary diversion. Dr. Peterson shares his insights on patient care, emphasizing how long-term follow-up and comprehensive care can transform survivors’ quality of life. He also addresses the psychological aspects of major urological surgery, highlighting the importance of acceptance and adjustment for patients and their families. Alongside specific medical considerations, the surgeons underscore surgical advancements that enhance safety and outcomes, reaffirming the potential for patients to regain a fulfilling life post-surgery.

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EARN CME

Reflect on how this Podcast applies to your day-to-day and earn free AMA PRA Category 1 CMEs: https://earnc.me/wEWNiy

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SHOW NOTES

00:00 - Introduction to Cancer Survivorship
08:06 - The Terrible Urological Five: When to Consider Cystectomy
23:09 - The Journey to Accepting a Cystectomy and Urinary Diversion
35:03 - Support Networks and Postoperative Quality of Life
38:53 - Concluding Thoughts and the Importance of Moving Forward

This week on BackTable Urology, Dr. Seth Lerner (Baylor College of Medicine) discusses the intricacies of lymph node dissection in bladder cancer management, including an overview of patterns of metastasis, genomic classifiers, and recent clinical trials.

The discussion highlights the evolution of bladder cancer treatment, from the use of cytotoxic chemotherapy to the current practice of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radical cystectomy. Dr. Lerner and Dr. Bagrodia further explore diagnostic and treatment strategies, including the role of Decipher Prostate Genomic Classifier in tailoring patient treatment plans. The podcast delves into the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach to bladder cancer, the benefits of multimodal therapy, and the integration of circulating tumor DNA in management plans. Dr. Lerner then discusses clinical trials assessing the impact of extended lymph node dissection during cystectomies and emphasizes the importance of surgical quality and adherence to established protocols in bladder cancer treatment.

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CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR

Veracyte
https://www.veracyte.com/decipher

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SHOW NOTES

00:00 - Introduction
06:17 - The Role of Imaging in Bladder Cancer Staging
08:00 - Exploring the Potential of Genomic Classifiers
16:55 - Debating the Efficacy of Extended Lymph Node Dissection
27:47 - Update on Bladder Cancer Clinical Trials
48:54 - Final Thoughts and the Future of Bladder Cancer Treatment

This week on BackTable Urology, Dr. Aditya Bagrodia speaks with Dr. Ganesh Palapattu, Chair of Urology at the University of Michigan about the evolving role of a surgeon scientist, the balance between clinical work and research, and the importance of mentorship and positivity.

Dr. Palapattu shares his personal journey from being inspired by mentors like Dr. Don Coffey to becoming Chief of Urologic Oncologist at Houston Methodist and his focus on fostering the next generation of medical professionals. The episode emphasizes the need for self-reflection, understanding one’s motivations, and the importance of maintaining relationships outside of the professional sphere. Additionally, the doctors discuss financial pressures on surgeon scientists and the importance of a supportive environment, along with the unique position of urologists in driving significant scientific and clinical advancements.

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SHOW NOTES

00:00 - Introduction
07:30 - The Challenges and Importance of Being a Surgeon Scientist
13:36 - The Impact of Clinical Practice on Scientific Research
18:40 - Structuring Success in Academic Medicine
25:41 - Reflecting on the Culture of Collaboration and Support
27:24 - The Importance of Time and Resources in Academic Medicine
43:40 - Advice for Aspiring Surgeon Scientists

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RESOURCES

Dr. Ganesh Palapattu’s Faculty Profile
https://medicine.umich.edu/dept/urology/ganesh-s-palapattu-md-facs