Valeska Halstead discusses a survey study examining pediatric urologists' perceptions of US News and World Report rankings. The study, with a 51% response rate from Society for Pediatric Urology members, reveals significant skepticism about the ranking system's validity. Notably, 86% of respondents support withdrawing from the rankings, with even 75% of those in top-10 institutions agreeing. Most respondents doubt the rankings' ability to reflect care quality or patient outcomes accurately. Dr. Halstead highlights concerns about data reporting honesty and the system's impact on care improvements. The discussion explores alternatives to rankings for complex cases, suggesting a focus on Centers of Excellence rather than numerical rankings. Dr. Halstead emphasizes the need for nuanced patient education about care quality, noting that many procedures are performed well across institutions. The conversation also touches on the broader implications of rankings on healthcare access and costs.

Biographies:

Valeska Halstead, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor, Dept of Pediatric Urology, Seattle Children's Hospital & University of Washington, Seattle, WA

Ruchika Talwar, MD, Assistant Professor of Urology, Urologic Oncologist, and Associate Medical Director in Population Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN