BackTable Urology

Have you noticed that urologists tend to have an outsized presence and interest in healthcare leadership and administrative positions? In this episode of BackTable Urology, Dr. Marisa Clifton, an associate professor and Associate Chief Medical Officer at Johns Hopkins, discusses her experiences in executive leadership with host Dr. Michelle Van Kuiken. This episode was produced in collaboration with the Society of Women in Urology (SWIU).---SYNPOSISDr. Clifton shares her journey evolving from surgery and clinical medicine to hospital administration, highlighting the importance of mentorship, skill-building, and strategic decision-making. She discusses her journey towards finding a balance between clinical practice and administrative roles. She also highlights the challenges and rewards of working in hospital leadership. This episode offers key guidance on obtaining mentorship, coaching, and executive presence. This candid conversation provides valuable insights for any physician interested in leadership roles.---TIMESTAMPS00:00 - Introduction02:28 - Dr. Marisa Clifton's Career Journey13:03 - Balancing Clinical and Administrative Roles17:01 - Challenges and Growth in Leadership25:31 - Balancing Clinical Medicine and Hospital Administration28:08 - Improving Communication Between Clinicians and Administrators32:20 - Leadership Development38:02 - The Role of Coaching43:13 - Final Thoughts and Future Directions---RESOURCESSociety of Women in Urologyhttps://swiu.org/home.aspx

Can the gender of your surgeon influence your outcome after surgery? New research says yes. In this episode of BackTable Urology, Dr. Christopher J.D. Wallis, a prominent urologic oncologist and health services researcher in Toronto, joins guest host Dr. Casey Seideman for a pivotal conversation at the intersection of surgical outcomes, gender, and health equity. This episode was developed in collaboration with the Society of Women in Urology (SWIU).---SYNPOSISDrawing from extensive studies and meta-analyses, Dr. Wallace highlights a significant mortality benefit for patients treated by female surgeons. The episode explores how these findings have sparked discussions on surgeon practices, patient care, and gender equity in medicine. Dr. Wallace also shares personal experiences to underline the importance of diversity and inclusive practices in healthcare. Finally, the two urologists discuss challenges faced when supporting diversity efforts and opportunities for future progress.---TIMESTAMPS00:00 - Introduction04:01 - Personal Experience with Gender Bias in Surgery07:05 - Groundbreaking Data on Surgeon Sex and Patient Outcomes12:23 - Long-Term Outcomes and Consistency in Data14:14 - Hypotheses and Underlying Reasons for Better Outcomes with Female Surgeons20:18 - Impact on Healthcare Costs and Productivity26:14 - Challenges and Pushback in the Medical Community35:05 - Conclusion---RESOURCESSociety of Women in Urologyhttps://swiu.org/home.aspx

Urology was recently named the most burned out specialty in the medical field – a title that we’re not particularly proud of. How can we better support ourselves and one another, and take real steps towards improving career satisfaction and mental health within our specialty? In this episode of the BackTable Urology Podcast, Dr. Nishant Patel, a urologist from San Diego bravely shares his personal struggles with depression, substance abuse, and suicidality with host Dr. Aditya Bagrodia; and how he overcame the lowest points in his career.---SYNPOSISDr. Patel details his journey from growing up in a small town in Arizona to becoming a successful urologist. He discusses the internal battles, external pressures, and pivotal moments that shaped his life and career. He then highlights the importance of peer support and introduces his new initiative, SafeHavenMD, a platform designed to provide confidential, peer-to-peer support for physicians dealing with mental health and substance abuse issues. This episode is a must-listen as it offers a raw and emotional insight into the often unseen challenges faced by medical professionals.---TIMESTAMPS00:00 - Introduction03:29 - Early Signs of Alcoholism03:56 - Medical School and Escalating Alcohol Use05:43 - Journey to Sobriety08:26 - Creating SafeHavenMD19:40 - Personal Experience and Resources20:20 - Handling Complications and Peer Support21:47 - SafeHavenMD: An Overview23:05 - Monitoring Programs and Confidentiality24:19 - Disclosing Issues and Seeking Help34:11 - Closing Message to the Audience

Attention trainees and general urologists: this episode is for you! Learn the basics of pediatric urology and core principles for building a practice in transitional urology, directly from the experts. In this episode of BackTable Urology, pediatric urologists Nicco Passoni and Arthi Hannallah, join guest host Dr. Ryan Mauck to discuss the most common conditions they see.---SYNPOSISThe discussion covers a broad spectrum of topics in the transition of pediatric urology patients to adult care. Key highlights include self-catheterization, testicular torsion, bladder augmentation, and patients with a history of pediatric surgeries or spina bifida. Dr. Mauck emphasizes a collaborative discussion on the importance of managing conditions independently versus seeking specialized help for these complex patient situations.---TIMESTAMPS00:00 - Introduction03:41 - Testicular Torsion Emergencies08:45 - Common Challenges in Pediatric Urology16:34 - Bladder Augmentation and Rupture27:24 - Self-Catheterization30:25 - Reflux and Reimplantation35:25 - Managing Pediatric Urology Patients in Adulthood46:47 - Outpatient Management of Reconstructed Bladders50:58 - Embracing a Multidisciplinary Approach54:02 - Key Takeaways

Patients seeking penile girth enhancement often do so for both physical and psychological reasons. When treating this patient population, understanding your patient’s goal is as critical as mastering the aesthetics. In this episode of BackTable Urology, Dr. Amy Pearlman, co-founder of PRIME Institute Miami, meets with our host Dr. Jose Silva to discuss practical tips for treating patients that seek penile girth enhancement.---SYNPOSISDr. Pearlman shares her journey from academic urology to healthcare entrepreneurship, emphasizing the personalized, holistic care offered at her practice. The conversation covers the procedure's impact on patients' lives, the management of a concierge clinic, and the integration of sexual health with overall wellness. Dr. Pearlman elaborates on the specifics of the penile girth enhancement procedure using hyaluronic acid. She covers patient experiences, consultation practices, and safety protocols. The episode emphasizes the broader conversation around men’s health and the importance of sexual well-being.---TIMESTAMPS00:00 - Introduction10:09 - Injectable vs. Surgical Options10:30 - Hyaluronic Acid Fillers14:06 - Patient Experiences and Expectations24:09 - Injection Techniques and Aftercare32:55 - Understanding Penile Aesthetics35:43 - Consultation Process37:23 - Pain Management39:01 - Patient Experiences and Feedback46:53 - Telehealth Consultations49:22 - Closing Advice for Providers

Sharpen your approach to high-risk renal cell carcinoma (RCC). In this episode of BackTable Urology, guest Dr. Sumanta (Monty) Pal from City of Hope joins host Dr. Aditya Bagrodia to discuss contemporary kidney cancer treatment and the complexities of perioperative therapy.---This podcast is supported by:Photocurehttps://www.photocure.com/---SYNPOSISThe conversation covers the challenging side effects of perioperative treatments, the evolution of therapies from tyrosine kinase inhibitors to modern checkpoint inhibitors, and the introduction of adjuvant therapies. Dr. Pal and Dr. Bagrodia explore the impact of these treatments on patient outcomes, the challenges with current biomarkers, and the potential of emerging trials. The doctors also highlight the importance of personalized RCC management strategies, particularly for high-risk patients and non-clear cell histologies. They also emphasize the need for appropriate patient counseling in this emerging field.---TIMESTAMPS00:00 - Introduction01:53 - Evolution of Kidney Cancer Treatments03:30 - Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in the 2010s10:42 - Checkpoint Inhibitor Trials23:09 - Discussing Adjuvant Therapy with Patients26:56 - Restaging and Biomarkers31:58 - Challenges in Adjuvant Immunotherapy39:57 - Non-Clear Cell RCC41:42 - Future Directions---RESOURCESPhotocure:https://www.photocure.com/

Do you need a recap of the latest urologic oncology research presented at GU ASCO 2025? This episode of BackTable Urology features a multidisciplinary discussion among three leading voices in urology and medical oncology – Drs. Bogdana Schmidt, Shilpa Gupta, and Ben Maughan – covering the most notable results presented at this year’s meeting.---This podcast is supported by:Photocurehttps://www.photocure.com/---SYNPOSISFirst, the doctors cover a wide range of topics including PARP inhibitors for prostate cancer, HER2-targeting antibody drug conjugates in bladder cancer, adjuvant chemotherapy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma, and biomarkers such as KIM-1 in kidney cancer. Highlighting the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration, the experts also critique the COSMIC-313 trial and discuss the nuances of applying new therapeutic combinations in real-world clinical practice.---TIMESTAMPS00:00 - Introduction09:20 - TALAPRO-2 Trial Insights19:29 - Bladder Cancer: Immuno-Oncology Combinations and HER227:42 - NIAGARA and iNDUCT Trials33:32 - Future Directions in Upper Tract Treatment37:38 - Biomarkers in Kidney Cancer: KIM-146:43 - COSMIC-313: Triplet Therapy in Renal Cell Carcinoma52:39 - Concluding Thoughts and Future Directions---RESOURCESPhotocure:https://www.photocure.com/

Dr. Allison Keenan, a faculty member at Levine Children's Hospital, and Dr. Nicholas Koch, a urology resident at Atrium Health, share their insights on optimizing residency training in urology. They discuss the importance of clinic experiences for developing decision-making skills and patient engagement. Dr. Keenan introduces the innovative Longitudinal Resident Clinic model to enhance continuity and autonomy for trainees, while Dr. Koch reflects on how this prepares residents for independent practice. Their conversation is rich with strategies for effective teaching and improving patient care.

How does the microbiome affect urologic health, and what role does it play in urinary tract infections (UTIs)? In this episode of BackTable Urology, Dr. Lennie Ackerman from UCLA joins host Dr. Suzette Sutherland to discuss the bladder microbiome and innovative methods for detecting UTIs.---SYNPOSISDr. Ackerman and Dr. Sutherland talk through the challenges of diagnosing chronic UTI symptoms, the limitations of standard urine cultures, and the role of new, enhanced culture methods and molecular diagnostics. They emphasize the importance of clinical judgment, the potential misuse of antibiotics, and the need for a long-term approach to managing urinary symptoms while maintaining a healthy microbiome.---TIMESTAMPS00:00 - Introduction01:58 - The Bladder Microbiome05:44 - Challenges in Diagnosing UTIs16:36 - Enhanced Quantitative Urine Culture21:30 - Molecular Diagnostic Approaches34:01 - Chronic UTIs and Long-Term Management46:10 - Conclusion