® Assistant Editor Janelle Hart spoke with 

They give an overview of the app they co-created, BlaTUR, which was designed to help clinicians risk stratify their patients and manage their practices more efficiently. Ritch is an associate professor of urology and associate director of UHealth International, and Katz is a PGY5 resident at the Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Florida.

Podcasts

“It's not a replacement for clinical judgment, obviously. But at the end of the day, the idea is that it shows you what your next steps are based on what the American Urological Association and [Society of Urologic Oncology] guidelines are for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer,” Chad R. Ritch, MD, MBA, FACS.

Speaking of Urology Podcast: Dr. Ritch and Dr. Katz discuss new bladder cancer management app

 He discusses the stigmas associated with robotic surgery and why it is important for urologic surgeons to counsel patients on the various treatment options available, especially the advanced and minimally invasive robotic modalities. Palese is the chairman of the department of urology and a professor of urology at the Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai, New York, New York.

“There really shouldn't be a stigma about robotic surgery. I think that we should embrace this technology that has really revolutionized the way that we do surgery,” says Michael A. Palese, MD.

Destigmatizing Urology: Dr. Palese discusses robotic surgery

She discusses a recent study regarding environmental impact of urology conferences, which was presented recently at the 2021 American Urological Association Annual Meeting, and how urologists can be more sustainable in the workplace. Loeb is a professor in the departments of urology and population health at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, New York.

“All of human health is inextricably linked with environmental health,” says Stacy Loeb, MD, PhD, MSc.

How urologists can be more sustainable

 He discusses why recurrent UTIs promote antibiotic stigmas among female patient populations and how urologists can help these patients receive more individualized, long-term care for this major issue. Nickel is a professor of urology at Queen’s University, and a research chair in urologic pain and inflammation at Kingston General Hospital, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

“[Promoting anti-microbial resistance is] really the only stigma and it's not the fault of the patients with recurrent urinary tract infection…most of us in the medical profession realize that this stigma is more the result of our only treatment we have for this condition,” says J. Curtis Nickel, MD, FRCSC.



Destigmatizing Urology: Dr. Nickel discusses recurrent UTIs in women

He discusses the current state of the BCG shortage, what is being done to resolve it, and what the future holds for patients with non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer who are seeking treatment. Chang is a Patricia and Rodes Hart professor of urology and oncology at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center and chief surgical officer at the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee.

“I wouldn't be surprised if we have spotty distribution areas of concern for the next several years,” says Sam S. Chang MD, MBA, on the latest episode of the UT podcast Speaking of Urology. 

What does the BCG shortage look like in 2021?

. He discusses male sexual dysfunction and how the stigmas surrounding this condition can lead to worsening physical health for these patients. Burnett is a professor of urology and oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.

“That's certainly the most significant stigma, the stigma that you're not quite the man that you want to be or what you perceive your partner wants you to be,” says Arthur L. Burnett, MD, MBA, FACS.

Destigmatizing Urology: Dr. Burnett discusses sexual dysfunction in men

. He discusses urinary incontinence in male and female patients and how this condition can trigger major anxieties and avoidance behaviors. Seth is a consultant urological surgeon at St. George’s University hospital, London, UK.

“As health care professionals, we've got…an incredibly important role and responsibility with regards to increasing awareness and education, and then really trying to address the barriers and bring down the barriers,” says Jai Seth, MD.

Destigmatizing Urology: Dr. Seth discusses urinary incontinence

They discuss the efficacy of telehealth visits and how their 

 study, “Patient satisfaction and savings, and clinical outcomes of televisits in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery at an urban academic center,” supports a bright future for telemedicine. Abraham is an associate professor and residency director of the department of urology at Montefiore Medical Center, and Shin is a medical student at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York.

“Our study strongly suggests that telemedicine can become the mainstay of treatment within FPMRS even after the COVID-19 pandemic has ended,” says Christina Shin, BA.

How FPMRS patients are reacting to televisits

® Managing Editor Ben Saylor spoke with 

study, “Persistent Opioid Usage After Urologic Intervention and the Impact of Tramadol,” and how clinicians need to take precaution when prescribing opioids for postoperative care. Faris is an associate professor of surgery at the University of Chicago, Illinois.

“Opioids are opioids…they can lead to long-term usage regardless of their FDA class. We really need to be good stewards for our patients,” says Sarah F. Faris, MD.

Dr. Sarah Faris on taking precautions when prescribing postoperative opioids

 He discusses how his new technology, The PrecisionPoint Transperineal Access System, is used for detecting prostate cancer in patients. Matthew J. Allaway, MD, is the founder and president of Perinealogic and a urologist and managing partner at Urology Associates, Cumberland, Maryland.

“We need to do a better job sampling the prostate,” says Matthew J. Allaway, MD.