Health Policy COE

Study Reveals International Variations in Adherence to Prostate Cancer Quality Metrics - Adam Weiner

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Ruchika Talwar speaks with Adam Weiner about a study examining international variations in prostate cancer care quality metrics. Using data from the TrueNTH Global Registry spanning 10 countries and over 60,000 patients, Dr. Weiner reveals striking differences in how nations approach prostate cancer management. The study looks at four key quality metrics, including the use of surveillance for low-...

Primer on Inclusive Care for Sexual and Gender Minority Genitourinary Cancer Patients - Rohan Patel

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Ruchika Talwar hosts Rohan Patel to discuss a primer on caring for sexual and gender minority (SGM) patients with genitourinary cancers. Dr. Patel unpacks key concepts like sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation, highlighting the unique challenges SGM patients face in healthcare. He outlines practical strategies for creating inclusive clinical environments, from using organ-based inventories...

US News Hospital Rankings Reliability for Urology Patients Questioned - Kathy Huen

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Ruchika Talwar hosts Kathy Huen to discuss her research on the accuracy of US News and World Report hospital rankings for urology. Dr. Huen discusses her study comparing the U.S. News methodology to electronic medical record data, revealing significant discrepancies in patient attribution and outcome measures. The research finds that U.S. News rankings often misidentify patients as being under uro...

Optimizing Post-Operative Care in Robotic Prostatectomy Same-Day Discharge - Brian Lane

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Ruchika Talwar interviews Brian Lane about a MUSIC collaborative study on same-day discharges for radical prostatectomy patients in Michigan. Dr. Lane discusses the study's findings, which show that only 2.8% of patients had same-day discharges between 2018 and 2022, despite efforts to increase uptake. The study demonstrates that same-day discharge is safe, with readmission rates comparable to one...

Understanding Healthcare Performance Measures in Urology Practice - David Friedlander

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Ruchika Talwar interviews David Friedlander about a primer on healthcare performance measurement developed in conjunction with the American Urological Association. Dr. Friedlander outlines five key takeaways from the document, including the purpose of performance measurement, categories and types of measures, contexts for their use, the measurement life cycle, and advanced topics. They discuss the...

Financial Distress for GU Cancer Patients: Insights from CDC Survey - Laura Bukavina & Steven Leonard

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Ruchika Talwar interviews Laura Bukavina and Steven Leonard about their study on financial distress for genitourinary cancer patients. Using data from the CDC National Health Interview Survey, they explore how the rising costs of cancer drugs impact patients' financial well-being and access to care. The study reveals that GU cancer patients, particularly those with bladder and kidney cancer, strug...

Cancer-Related Financial Hardship Among Cancer Survivors: Research from the HINTS-SEER Survey - Apoorv Dhir & Rishi Sekar

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Ruchika Talwar interviews Apoorv Dhir and Rishi Sekar about their study on cancer-related financial hardship among cancer survivors. The researchers discuss findings from the HINTS-SEER survey, which reveals that 44% of cancer patients report some level of financial hardship. They highlight the importance of considering both individual and community-level factors in assessing financial burden. The...

Rising Out-of-Pocket Costs in Prostate Cancer Screening: A Growing Concern - Arnav Srivastava

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Arnav Srivastava discusses his research on out-of-pocket costs for prostate cancer screening follow-up among privately insured men. The study reveals that by 2020, 80% of patients face out-of-pocket expenses for diagnostic testing, with costs rising significantly over time. Patients undergoing both MRI and biopsy can expect to pay over $600. Dr. Srivastava highlights the potential implications, in...

Advanced Prostate Cancer: Understanding Out-of-Pocket Medication Costs - Daniel Joyce

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Daniel Joyce discusses the financial impact of advanced prostate cancer treatments on patients. He presents research showing significant out-of-pocket costs for oral cancer therapies, particularly for commercially insured patients. Dr. Joyce highlights disparities in costs based on factors like age, race, and income. He emphasizes the importance of addressing financial toxicity in patient care, no...

Diversity in Urolithiasis Clinical Trials: Revealing Enrollment Trends - Amy Reed

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Amy Reed discusses a study on diversity, equity, and inclusion in urolithiasis clinical trials over the past two decades. The research analyzes 180 trials, examining patient enrollment by race, ethnicity, and sex. Using a representation quotient, the study finds that white patients are adequately represented, Black patients are overrepresented, while Hispanic and mixed-race patients are underrepre...