BackTable Urology BackTable

In this episode of Backtable Urology Podcast, Ken Mitchell MPAS, PA-C, a certified physician associate, speaks about the role of interprofessional collaboration in treating male sexual dysfunction and infertility.

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KYZATREX™
https://www.kyzatrex.com

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SYNPOSIS

First, Ken highlights his journey into men’s health, sparked by the debut of erectile dysfunction medication and his engagement in vascular medicine. He then discusses how he leveraged his clinical background to address prevalent issues such as erectile dysfunction and testosterone management. Ken emphasizes the importance of education, collaboration, and innovative treatment approaches in providing effective patient care. Dr. Silva and Ken also cover the potential of oral testosterone treatments and their growing acceptance among patients due to convenience and cost-effectiveness. Ken shares insights into his role in advancing APP utilization in urology practices and ensuring comprehensive care coverage. Finally, Ken introduces his nonprofit organization, GUYnecology Men’s Health, an initiative aimed at fostering a broader understanding of preventative care among patients and healthcare professionals.

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Introduction
06:28 - Expanding the Role of APPs in Urology
14:47 - Addressing Testosterone Replacement Therapy
21:40 - Exploring Treatment and Insurance Challenges in Urology Practices
27:35 - The Evolution of Oral Testosterone Treatments
35:29 - Incorporating Telehealth and Enhancing Patient Education
36:03 - Introducing Guynecology: A New Approach to Men’s Health
41:44 - Final Thoughts and Advice for Urologists and APPs

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RESOURCES

KYZATREX
https://www.kyzatrex.com/

GUYnecology Men’s Health Association
https://learnguynecology.org/

In this episode of BackTable Urology, Dr. James Smith, Director of Male Reproductive Health at UC San Francisco and CMO of Fellow, discusses advancements in semen analysis and fertility testing with Dr. Jose Silva.

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CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR

Fellow
https://www.meetfellow.com/

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SYNPOSIS

First, Dr. Smith introduces the significance of a comprehensive approach to examining male fertility, including total motile sperm counts and treatable conditions like prostatitis. He also highlights the role of the Fellow kit, a mail-in semen analysis test that improves the access and availability of sperm analysis. He explains the scientific foundations behind the Fellow kit, including temperature control, nutrient supply, and antibacterial measures to preserve sperm motility. The episode also touches on broader themes in fertility, such as the impact of illnesses like COVID-19 on sperm quality, the potential for future molecular and genetic testing in semen analysis, and the socioeconomic factors affecting access to fertility testing. Finally, Dr. Smith emphasizes the importance of early and comprehensive fertility evaluations for men and discusses the potential for future research to further improve fertility diagnostics.

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TIMESTAMPS

0:00 - Exploring Fertility Challenges and Solutions
10:16 - The Game-Changing Impact of the Fellow Semen Analysis Kit
15:29 - Navigating Semen Analysis: Quality, Progression, and Treatment
22:51 - The Importance of Early Fertility Testing and Intervention
27:27 - The Journey of Fellow: Improving Patient Compliance and Access
41:08 - The Future of Semen Analysis and Fertility Research
44:25 - Concluding Thoughts on Male Fertility and Patient Care

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RESOURCES

Fellow Website
https://www.meetfellow.com/

In this crossover episode of BackTable Urology and OBGYN, Dr. Suzette Sutherland interviews three urological/gynecologic innovators, Dr. Ali Haessler, Dr. Jay Shakuri-Rad, and Dr. Tova Weiss, who are all at different career stages and product development phases.

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SYNPOSIS

Dr. Tova Weiss, a urology resident at the University of Washington, discusses her development of a safer urinary catheter so that if a patient were to pull out their catheter, the distal part would disconnect from the catheter inside the urethra, preventing urethral trauma. Dr. Jay Shakuri-Rad, a practicing urologist specializing in robotics and neuromodulation, shares his creation of the Foramen Finder to enhance sacral neuromodulation procedures. Dr. Allie Haessler, a practicing urogynecologist, talks about her invention of a novel vaginal ring aimed at providing neuromodulation therapy for pelvic floor issues. They each discuss the inspiration behind their inventions, challenges faced, and the importance of failure in the path to innovation. The episode emphasizes the role of physicians in identifying healthcare gaps, collaborating across disciplines, and pushing the boundaries of medical technology to improve patient care.

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Introduction
01:54 - Dr. Tova Weiss and the Urinary Catheter Accessory
08:49 - Dr. Jay Shakuri-Rad and the Foramen Finder
22:04 - Dr. Allie Haessler and the Neuromodulation Vaginal Ring
27:29 - Navigating the Patent Process and Protecting Innovation
29:52 - The Path to FDA Approval
37:11 - Advice for Aspiring Innovators in Medicine
40:52 - Embracing Failure and the Inventor’s Mindset

In this episode of BackTable Urology, Dr. Aditya Bagrodia invites Dr. Andrew Harris (University of Kentucky) to discuss the significance of quality improvement using the lean methodology to improve patient safety and healthcare efficiency.

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SYNPOSIS

First, Dr. Harris shares his transformative journey into quality improvement following a personal experience in the operating room, highlighting how critical it is for healthcare professionals to scrutinize and refine daily processes for better outcomes. The conversation dives into the heart of quality improvement, complex problem solving, encouraging healthcare professionals to apply their analytical skills to improve systems and processes. They discuss the importance of communication, team involvement, and leadership in fostering a culture that embraces quality improvement. Practical examples from Harris’s experience underscore how small changes can lead to significant benefits in patient care, staff satisfaction, and overall healthcare efficiency.

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Introduction
05:16 - Combating Burnout with Quality Improvement Initiatives
13:38 - Exploring the Anatomy of a Quality Improvement Project
25:24 - Optimizing Operating Room Efficiency
28:37 - Balancing Standardization and Flexibility in Healthcare Processes
34:11 - Ad Hoc Solutions vs. Structured Quality Improvement
40:36 - Incorporating Patient Perspectives in Quality Improvement

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/