SUFU 2019: A New Paradigm for Outpatient Diagnosis and Treatment of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Utilizing a Mobile App/Software Platform and Remote Patient Visits
Participants recruited and offered remote, instead of in-office visits, when appropriate. Those who agreed were invited to download a mobile app containing the lower urinary tract symptom score (LUTSS) and a 24-hour bladder diary. Participants with low (<14) or intermediate (14 - 42) LUTSS were offered remote visits; those with high scores (43 – 56), reflecting severe symptoms, were offered in-office visits. Data obtained included: age, sex, number screened, excluded, included, lost to follow-up, remote visits, in-office visits, app downloads, the time lapse between initial referral, invite and remote or in-office visit.
They found that the overall, remote visits were achieved in 17% of the entire cohort and 68% of those who completed the app. 34/57 (60%) completed the satisfaction questionnaire. Among patients surveyed,80% found the app to be an effective way of sharing information with their physician, and 74% found it to be easy and effective to use.
They concluded that this a new paradigm for outpatient diagnosis and treatment of LUTS was developed using a software program comprised of a mobile app, validated PRO questionnaires, bladder diaries, and remote patient monitoring. Patients were triaged according to symptom severity, and 68% of those who completed the app elected to have their initial evaluation performed remotely (17% of all new urology consults). Patient and physician satisfaction was high.
Further studies, extending and applying the paradigm to a larger and more diverse group of patients, are necessary to determine the extent of its healthcare quality and economic benefit.
Presented by: Jerry G. Blaivas, MD, Senior Faculty, Department of Urology, The Mount Sinai Hospital, Mount Sinai Beth Israel, SUNY Downstate College of Medicine, the Institute for Bladder and Prostate Research
Co-Authors: Michael W. Poon, MD4, Eric S.W. Li, BA2,3, Roni Manyevitch, BA3, Devon N. Thomas, BA3
Author Affiliation:
1. Department of Urology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
2. SUNY Downstate College of Medicine
3. Institute for Bladder and Prostate Research
4. Kaiser Permanente
Written by: Bilal Farhan, MD, Clinical Instructor, Female Urology and Voiding Dysfunction, Department of Urology, University of California, Irvine @Bilalfarhan79 at the Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine & Urogenital Reconstruction Winter Meeting, SUFU 2019, February 26 - March 2, 2019, Miami, Florida