Pearls & Perspectives: Bridging Gaps in Functional Urology Care, With Diane Newman, DNP, FAAN, BCB-PMD, and Stuart Hart, MD, MBA, MS

Welcome back to Pearls and Perspectives!

In this episode of Pearls & Perspectives, host Amy Pearlman, MD, is joined by Larry Lipshultz, MD; Diane K. Newman, DNP, FAAN, BCB-PMD; and Stuart Hart, MD, MBA, MS, to discuss unmet needs surrounding lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and the potential role of digital health in expanding access to conservative management. Recorded at the 2026 American Urological Association Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, the conversation explores why common conditions such as urinary urgency, frequency, nocturia, and urinary incontinence remain underrecognized and undertreated despite affecting millions of patients.

Newman and Hart highlight the barriers that often prevent patients—particularly women—from seeking care, including embarrassment, limited awareness of available treatments, and lengthy delays before evaluation by a specialist. They also discuss the practical challenges faced by busy urology practices, where limited appointment times can make it difficult to provide the comprehensive behavioral counseling recommended as first-line therapy for overactive bladder and other functional urologic conditions. Rather than replacing traditional urologic care, they envision technology as a way to extend it, helping patients receive evidence-based education and symptom management while allowing physicians to focus on diagnostics, procedures, and more complex clinical needs.

The discussion also introduces Urology Health, a telehealth platform designed to deliver structured, conservative management for functional urologic conditions through a combination of patient education, behavioral therapy, lifestyle interventions, and advanced practice provider support. The initial rollout will focus on women with bladder symptoms before expanding to additional conditions, including recurrent urinary tract infections, pelvic pain, and male LUTS. Pearlman and her guests explore how digital platforms may complement existing clinical workflows by improving access to first-line therapies, increasing patient engagement, and supporting long-term management of chronic urologic conditions.