Davis Viprakasit, MD, FACS, on the growing role of APPs in cystoscopy

In this video, Davis P. Viprakasit, MD, FACS, discusses the American Urological Association’s inaugural Advanced Cystoscopy for APPs training course, highlighting the growing role of advanced practice providers (APPs) in urologic care. Viprakasit is a professor of urology and the director of multidisciplinary stone program at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

According to Viprakasit, the course was developed in response to requests from APPs for additional education focused on procedural care. While APPs are already involved in a range of urologic procedures, the course provided an introduction to more advanced cystoscopy concepts.

APPs can play an important role in expanding access to cystoscopy, particularly as the demand for urologic care continues to grow.

“There are a lot more patients that need cystoscopy than urologists are able to provide that care in a timely fashion,” he said, underscoring the potential for APPs to help address gaps in procedural capacity.

Viprakasit also emphasized that successful integration of APPs into advanced cystoscopy requires close collaboration across the urology team. Clear communication and accessible lines of communication between APPs and supervising urologists can help ensure consistency in patient care and provide a mechanism for addressing questions or concerns that arise during procedures. He described APPs as an extension of the urology practice, with the goal of providing care that aligns closely with the standards established by the urologists they work alongside.