BERKELEY, CA USA (UroToday.com)
An interview with Terry FritzPatrick, Administrator, Oregon Urology Institute
In 2004, Oregon Urology Institute (OUI) united the expertise, reputations, and resources of two of the Northwest's leading urology practices to create a single, state-of-the-art center. By 2006, these Oregon urologists in the Eugene-Springfield area were evolving into an integrated multi-disciplinary organization. When management consultants were touting the “Centers for Excellence” this 16 physician, large group practice listened and then personalized those tenets – striving to bring together a “think tank of progressive, experienced specialists, trained in the newest treatments all under one roof.” The transformation started with an outpatient surgical center. The other tenet to success was opening the channels of communication between the urologist, the oncologist, the pathologist, and the patient.
“The relationship we developed with a local pathologist and his laboratory was very important – this lab specializes in prostate cancer. The OUI urologists raised their level of interactive discussions with the pathologist. Today, after four years, we can really see the positive difference this relationship has made to the entire spectrum of care.” Then came the OUI Radiation Center, the only facility in Oregon focused exclusively on prostate cancer, offering tailored IGRT treatments for prostate disease. “Then when the local hospital added robotic surgery, we attracted new physicians and technicians specializing in these minimally invasive but highly effective procedures. Having all of these services onsite is a timesaver for patients, and there is a greater sense of compliance to follow the treatment plan.”
Today this model is still evolving. “What we didn’t anticipate was the advent of the new bone health medication treatments expected to come out this year and next.” On their watch list are the new androgen deprivation therapy drugs (enzalutamide and Zytiga®) and the development of new immunotherapies involving interferons.
Another growth area at OUI is our urodynamic services and our full-spectrum approach to managing LUTS, overactive bladder, urge incontinence, and stress incontinence, especially in women. The addition of an onsite physical therapist enhances the rehabilitative needs of the patient. The psychosocial issues are largely addressed through a variety of cancer support groups that meet monthly. “These are as much for the wife as they are for the husband with prostate cancer; she asks the questions that are hard to get answers to at home.” In early September OUI patients enjoyed a Survivors’ Banquet – “It was a big dinner and well attended.” For Fathers’s Day, OUI sponsored the Prost(8K)/ 5kWalk and had 336 participants. In July OUI hosted a free PSA screening event with local TV partners at the Eugene-area mall, “One thousand men were screened; I believe it’s one of the largest in the U.S.”
So how does OUI address the PSA controversy? This group has a three-point policy. “Screening is important. Get screened every year. Know your PSA number and your baseline.” Of the 1,000 men screened in July, approximately 10% were asked to come into the Institute for follow-up testing, and of that number several were scheduled for surgical procedures due to more advanced prostate cancer. “It’s not a macroenvironment we live in, these are our neighbors.”
“While dedicating the month of September to prostate cancer is important,” says FritzPatrick, “awareness needs to happen at many other times during the year, just like it does with breast cancer awareness, and the lesser known cancers, bladder and renal, need attention too.”
So, is bigger better? “There was certainly a risk, but our physicians understood that risk and were willing to evolve and take one step at a time. We did the important things -- improve how we communicate with each other and our patients and add the newest proven technologies to better diagnose and treat all types of urologic cancers and conditions. That’s the kind of culture we have here at Oregon Urology.”
Oregon Urology Institute is located in the Eugene/Springfield area.
Interview conducted by Karen Roberts, Medical Editor, UroToday.com.