Health Policy and Advocacy.

Awareness of the activities of federal and state legislative and regulatory activities is vital for physicians to avoid having their services misvalued and to protect patients' access to care. Professional organizations are encouraging physicians to develop political leadership and advocacy skills to protect patient care, research, and access to technology. The political polarization of the country and the public health emergency have had an impact on the ability and willingness of some to engage in policy discussions. This article reviews mechanisms by which urologists can engage in health policy and political activity and avenues to expand the number of urologists involved.

Urological litigation trends in the UK National Health Service: an analysis of claims over 20 years.

OBJECTIVE: To look into the urology litigation trends and successful claims in the National Health Service (NHS) over the last 20 years. METHODS: We requested data from NHS Resolutions to investigate current litigation numbers, costs and causes for claims. Data collected included the number of claims dating from 1996 to 2019, the total sum of damages paid out each year for urology and the causes for the claims dating from 2009 to 2019. Data from NHS Resolutions were analysed, stratified and categorized by the authors from this information, which was provided as two separate documents. RESULTS: The total cost of damages between 1997 and 2017 was £74.5m (range: £241 325-£7.8m per year). While the number of successful claims was 1653 (range 7-168 per year), the total number of claims was 3341 (range 31-347 per year) and, over time, this has increased almost sevenfold. The cost of damages has increased roughly in line with the number of claims. Over the last 10 years, non-operative-related claims accounted for 984 claims, of which the largest subset was for 'the failure to diagnose and/or treat' (n = 639, 65%), with 88 (9%) successful consent-related claims. There were 226 intra-operative-related claims. Of these, wrong-site surgery, a never-event, accounted for eight claims and there were six successful claims for failing to supervise juniors. A total of 1129 claims were postoperative claims, with retained foreign body or instrument accounting for 71 (6%) of these. CONCLUSIONS: The number and cost of litigation claims have increased year on year. There is a need for continual improvement in patient care, surgical training, counselling, informed consent and early management of complications. The evidence reviewed in this paper suggests that the best approach to this is the combination of rigid adherence to and re-enforcement of common surgical guidelines and implementation of the national 'Getting it right first time' initiative.

[Legal pitfalls in urology]. / Juristische "pitfalls" in der Urologie.

The juridification of medicine affects all disciplines, including urology. Therefore, in this discipline it can well happen that patients not only feel wrongly treated or complain that a treatment was not performed lege artis but also demand compensation or even bring criminal charges. From the patient point of view, the doctor is often more likely to blame for a complication that has arisen or for a hoped for but failed treatment success, than that it is accepted that a complication is typical for the intervention, which, despite the greatest medical care, unfortunately can become reality and is a fateful course. Insurance against claims for damages can be taken out. Not to be underestimated, however, is the personal burden of the accusations with which doctors are confronted by patients, relatives, expert witnesses and courts and against which one must defend oneself. This can mean additional work in addition to the normal medical workload. Therefore, the legal pitfalls in urology should be known.

[Legal limits of (online) marketing for doctors]. / Rechtliche Grenzen des (Online-) Marketings für Ärzte.

The online marketing of physicians must be measured against the same advertising regulations as conventional marketing. In this context, the Medical Professional Code of Conduct, the Medical Products Advertising Act ("Heilmittelwerbegesetz") and the Law against Unfair Competition are particularly relevant. In addition, data and personal rights aspects have to be considered in the area of online marketing. Despite increasing liberalisation tendencies, there continue to be considerable legal advertising limits for doctors, which are outlined in this article. The relatively high number of current court rulings cited in the article also shows that there are questions yet to be clarified with regard to all regulations. The judgements, which are often strongly related to the individual cases, have not answered all questions conclusively. Nevertheless, it can be stated that the legal limits of medical marketing have never been more liberal than they are now.

[Medico-legal risk in urology: Analysis of a portfolio of insured persons by a French insurance company between 2009 and 2018]. / Risque médico-légal en urologie : analyse d'un portefeuille d'assurés auprès d'une compagnie d'assurances française entre 2009 et 2018.

OBJECTIVE: Presentation of data collected on urology claims from the register of a French insurance company. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Compensation claims involving urologists covering the period 2009-2018 were identified and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 37 files were found. Oncological and functional surgical interventions accounts for 78% of repair claims. Postoperative complications represent 76% of the cases. The most represented acts are total prostatectomy (5) and promonto-fixation (4). The average time of complaint is 28.6 months [1-144 months], the average duration of a procedure (opening-closing) is 32.8 months [12-72 months]. The Conciliation and Compensation Commissions (CCC) and the High Court Courts (HCC) were solicited respectively in 51% and 33% of the proceedings. An amicable agreement is found in 16% of cases. There was no criminal or disciplinary proceedings. The average cost of a closed urology file is 7836 € [0-31,120 €]. In total, 64.8% of the expertises confirm practices in the respect of the rules of the art. CONCLUSION: This series presents the first forensic analysis of a portfolio of urologists on a period of 9 years in French urology. There is a rate of responsibility retained against the practitioner in only 27% of cases. The low rate of faulty files, the absence of a conviction for breach of the duty to provide information and in connection with antibiotic prophylaxis seem to confirm that the practice of urology in France is of good quality, a further study on a longer period of time and on a larger cohort of urologists would allow a finer medico-legal approach. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

[Malpractice in Urology: lessons of clinical and legal safety.] / Malpraxis en Urología: lecciones en seguridad clínica y jurídica.

OBJECTIVES: Data about urology malpractice claims in our environment are scarce and should be considered a potential opportunity to "learn from errors". METHODS: We analyzed every claim for alleged malpractice in Urology managed by the Council of Medical Colleges of Catalonia between 1990 and 2012, and specifically evaluated the clinical and medicolegal features of those cases with medical professional responsibility. RESULTS: We identified 182 cases in 22 years, but only the 25,74%showed professional liability. Testicular torsion misdiagnosis, pregnancies after vasectomy and complications of lithiasis should be noted for their frequency of claims and rate of liability. 246 physicians were involved, 89% were males and mean age was 45.6 years. Most cases (n=137, 75.27%) were processed in the courts. DISCUSSION: Urology has a medium risk of claims, with a moderate rate of medical professional liability and amount of compensation. There are specific actions that would lead to clinical safety improvements, particularly in testicular pathologies, vasectomy and lithiasis. Finally, more attention should be paid to proper patient information.

Measuring quality of urology care using a qualified clinical data registry.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Qualified clinical data registries (QCDRs) serve as a framework for quality improvement efforts, clinical research endeavors, and participation in reimbursement incentive programs. However, the measurement of quality and the recommendations to guide QCDRs in developing new quality measures is a complex process. In this review, we highlight the government policies that lead to the creation of QCDRs, how QCDR quality measures are developed, and the current QCDRs that focus on urological care. RECENT FINDINGS: QCDRs facilitate participation in the merit-based incentive payment system for reimbursement adjustments. Most QCDRs leverage existing clinical guidelines in the development of new quality measures. In 2018, there are four urology QCDRs with quality measures for many urological conditions. These QCDRs form the infrastructure for quality improvement and provide new resources for research endeavors. SUMMARY: Quality measurement within QCDRs will allow urologists to focus improvement efforts to deliver high-quality urological care while also facilitating reimbursement incentives and creating novel research datasets.

Engaging telehealth to drive value-based urology.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Telehealth, or the remote delivery of healthcare services using telecommunications technology, has the potential to revolutionize the delivery of healthcare and contribute to ongoing efforts to provide high-value care. RECENT FINDINGS: We discuss several categories of telehealth that have been applied to healthcare. Several of these approaches, in particular video visits and teleconsultations, have promising early data demonstrating the significant benefits of telehealth technology with respect to the quality of care, access, cost savings, and patient experience. Nonetheless, considerable knowledge gaps still exist regarding how and for which patients and diseases telehealth modalities should be applied. Finally, we discuss the barriers to widespread adoption at the institutional, state, and federal levels. SUMMARY: Maximizing the value of healthcare is an important goal for hospitals, physicians, and policymakers. Telehealth leverages advances in technology and the widespread availability of telecommunications devices to make healthcare communication more available, more convenient, and more efficient for patients and providers. With appropriate policies and incentives, telehealth initiatives can improve the value of urologic care and smooth the transition to a value-based healthcare system.

[The current urological training program in Spain. Urology National Specialty Commission.] / El programa actual de la formación en España. Comisión nacional de especialidad.

OBJECTIVES: 44/2003 Law involved the creation of the National Council of Specialties in Health Sciences and the National Commissions of the Specialties in Health Sciences. METHODS: Analysis of the main laws implicated in Specialized Training and the role of the National Specialty Commission. DISCUSSION: 44/2003 Law regulates the training of health professionals and establishes the procedure for the training programs creation by the National Specialty Commission and its later approval and publication in the BOE. Access to specialized training will be carried out with the annual and national MIR exam. The Health Ministry establishes the criteria for educational centers accreditation, and the National Specialty Commission issues a favorable or unfavorable report as advisor about new accreditation requests. 183/2008 RD develops the tutor figure, the formative evaluation through the Resident's Book and how will be like the external rotations. CONCLUSIONS: to understand the Urology's specialty training system we must know the laws that regulate it, being the most important the 44/2003 Law. The National Specialty Commission is an advisory party of the Ministry, whose main function is to elaborate the Urology training program and to establish the evaluation criteria of the specialists in formation.

[What is the perception of the 10-point plan of the German Federal Ministry of Health against multidrug-resistant pathogens and measures of antibiotic stewardship? : An interdisciplinary analysis among German clinicians and development of a decision tool for urologists]. / Wie werden der 10-Punkte-Plan des Deutschen Bundesministeriums für Gesundheit zur Bekämpfung resistenter Erreger und Maßnahmen des Antibiotic Stewardship wahrgenommen? : Eine fachübergreifende Analyse der Kenntnis deutscher Klinikärzte und Entwicklung einer urologischen Handlungsanweisung.

BACKGROUND: Due to increasing antibiotic resistances, relevant treatment problems are currently emerging in clinical practice. In March 2015, the German Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) published a 10-point plan designed to combat this development. Furthermore, the first German guideline on antibiotic stewardship (ABS) was implemented in 2013 and instructs physicians of different specialties about several treatment considerations. Evidence is scarce on how such concepts (10-point plan/BMG, ABS) are perceived among clinicians. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Within the MR2 study (Multiinstitutional Reconnaissance of practice with MultiResistant bacteria - a survey focusing on German hospitals), a questionnaire including 4 + 35 items was sent to 18 German hospitals between August and October 2015, surveying internists, gynecologists, general surgeons, and urologists. Using multivariate logistic regression models (MLRM), the impact of medical specialty and further criteria on the endpoints (1) awareness of the 10-point plan/BMG and (2) knowledge of ABS measures were assessed. Fulfillment of endpoints was predefined when average or full knowledge was reported (reference: poor to no knowledge). RESULTS: Overall response rate was 43% (456/1061) for fully evaluable questionnaires. Only 63.0 and 53.6% of urologists and nonurologists (internists, gynecologists, and general surgeons), respectively, attended training courses regarding multidrug-resistance or antibiotic prescribing in the 12 months prior to the study (P = 0.045). The endpoints average and full knowledge regarding 10-point plan/BMG and ABS measures were fulfilled in only 31.4 and 32.8%, respectively. In MLRM, clinicians with at least one previous training course (reference: no training course) were 2.5- and 3.8-fold more likely to meet respective endpoint criteria (all P < 0.001). Medical specialty (urologists vs. nonurologists) did not significantly impact the endpoints in both MLRM. CONCLUSIONS: The 10-point plan/BMG and ABS programs should be implemented into clinical practice, but awareness and knowledge of both is insufficient. Thus, it stands to reason that the actual realization of such measures is inadequate and continuous training towards rational prescription of antibiotics is necessary, regardless of medical specialty.