Volume 23, Number 4Business of UrologyOutpatient Urological Surgery: Outcomes and Cost by Site of Service in Community PracticeRobert A. DowlingJinghan ZhangSong ZhangEvan R GoldfischerDavid M. AlbalaUrologic surgery is most commonly performed in 1 of 3 ambulatory settings—a physician office, a hospital outpatient setting, or an ambulatory surgery center—but differences in value among these settings are poorly understood. This study examines real-world practice patterns of community urologists and documents outcomes and costs for a set of common urologic procedures performed in outpatient settings.Physician practice patternsAmbulatory surgical proceduresurologic diseasesambulatory care
Volume 23, Number 3Business of UrologyThe Business of Independent Urologic Medicine: Caring for Patients While Operating a Business in a Post–COVID-19 Era of Private PracticeNathan P. DillerMara HoltonPrimum non nocere—“First, do no harm.” Independent medicine is challenged not only to achieve outcomes that patients value but also not to intentionally harm their business in the process. The COVID-19 pandemic and postpandemic regulatory environment have added new limitations on and restrictions to independent practices’ ability to innovate, grow, and provide stable access to meet their communities’ urologic needs. In the face of these challenges, independent medicine is at its strongest when it continues to press toward meeting its social contract with its community. Conversely, but just as importantly, society needs to be mindful of its social contract with the health care workforce.UrologyPrivate practiceCOVID-19
Volume 23, Number 1Business of UrologyPhysician-Owned Hospitals: A Look at the NumbersRobert A. DowlingMara HoltonPhysician-owned hospitals are sometimes characterized as examples of inappropriate self-referral. This perception contributes to legislation and regulation that constrain physician ownership. The true scope of physician ownership and its impact are incompletely understood. This study aimed to better define the current landscape of physician ownership in US hospitals to inform policy making in this area.Ownershipfinancial managementproprietaryhospitals