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Review ArticlesView Articles
Reviews in UrologyView Articles

Volume 23, Number 3Reviews in Urology

Letter From the President of LUGPA

Evan R Goldfischer

As we approach the next election, it is of utmost importance that we, as one of the strongest voices for independent medicine, engage in political advocacy. Our mission is to ensure that the independent practice of urology endures while showcasing outstanding quality and value to our patients, vendors, payers, legislators, and regulatory agencies. To achieve this, we must actively preserve our autonomy and demonstrate the highest quality standards through evidence-based practices and effective communication.

SupplementView Articles
Treatment ReviewView Articles

Volume 23, Number 1Treatment Review

Consistency in Care Opportunities for Prostate Cancer

Wanda WiltNicole SmithKatie GrantJayme NalleyJody Pinkerton

Through data analysis and multiple interviews and insights, this study attempted to address the inconsistency in care for patients with prostate cancer who shared similar journey time points, demographics, and care center expertise. The Consistency of Care Project aimed to evaluate the impact of efforts to improve targeted metrics surrounding crucial clinical interventions of prostate-specific antigen monitoring, surveillance scanning, and pharmacologic interventions over a 9-month period. For comparison, 15 private urology practices of like size, patient population, and demographics were monitored. Ten of the practices benefitted from reviewed workflow training on the PPS Analytics data platform; access to a PPS Analytics Clinical Analyst, who supported education for identification of actionable patients; consistent data analysis; workflow support; and regular check-in meetings to monitor progress. The 5 control sites were monitored without additional, purposeful intervention. Outcomes support the hypothesis that inconsistency in care can begin to be addressed through focused workflows, strong navigation, and attention to key performance indicators. Attrition rate differences of 32% vs 6% improvements (reengaging patients for care who had no next appointment scheduled). On average, the experimental group increased the metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer diagnosis rate by 10%. However, the treatment rates measured a relative increase of 35% but an average of 11% absolute improvement at the supported sites vs 6% at the control sites. Patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer at the supported sites improved by 20%, compared with those in the control group, who improved by 4%. Care teams with strong workflows, supportive resources, and consistent care pathways—when combined with data analytics—can influence care and drive increased, measurable differences.

Prostate cancerProstatic neoplasmsUrologyNeoplasmpatient navigation