Atrium Health Wake Forest Medical Center Archives

Managing Screen Time Isn’t Just for Kids: Tips to Break the Spell

Posted by Catherine A. Matthews, MD, FACS, FACOG, FPMRS | Aug 2024

Catherine A. Matthews, MD, FACS, FACOG, FPMRS, addresses the pressing issue of excessive screen time, emphasizing its impact on adults as well as children. She discusses the physical and psychological consequences of prolonged screen use, including eye strain, disrupted sleep patterns, decreased physical activity, and increased stress and anxiety, and provides practical strategies to mitigate these negative effects.

Dr. Matthews also discusses the psychological impact of screen time, noting that excessive use is linked to higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression, and provides encouraging solutions to alleviate these symptoms.

Success with Sacral Neuromodulation

Posted by Robert J. Evans, MD, FACS | Jul 2024

Robert J. Evans, MD, FACS, provides practical guidance on successfully incorporating sacral neuromodulation (SNM) into a urology practice. He begins by discussing proper documentation strategies to avoid SNM being rejected by insurance.

Dr. Evans then shares his approach to patient education and engagement. He presents the available options for SNM devices and implantation procedures. He outlines the ideal patient profile for staged versus peripheral nerve evaluation procedures, and he discusses the level of patient engagement required for rechargeable versus non-rechargeable SNM devices.

Dr. Evans concludes by providing guidance on troubleshooting. He presents common technical issues and patient experiences with SNM devices. For each issue, he presents solutions which can be implemented in-office.

Optilume for BPH – Considerations for Use

Posted by Ryan P. Terlecki, MD, FACS | Jun 2024

Ryan P. Terlecki, MD, FACS, examines the use of Optilume, a novel drug-coated balloon technology, in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), focusing on its efficacy, safety, and clinical considerations.

He begins by explaining the mechanism of action of Optilume and reviews clinical trial data demonstrating its effectiveness in improving urinary flow rates and reducing symptom severity in patients with BPH. He highlights key findings, such as significant improvements in International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and quality of life metrics, underscoring the potential of Optilume as an alternative to traditional BPH treatments like pharmacotherapy and surgical interventions.
He discusses patient selection criteria, potential contraindications, and the need for thorough patient evaluation before opting for this treatment. Dr. Terlecki delves into the procedural aspects of Optilume use, including technical considerations for optimal deployment and strategies to minimize complications.
Furthermore, Dr. Terlecki explores the comparative advantages of Optilume over existing BPH treatments and considers the economic implications.

The Path to Progress: Value in Continual Professional Development

Posted by Ryan P. Terlecki, MD, FACS | Apr 2024

Ryan P. Terlecki, MD, FACS, emphasizes the importance of continuous professional development (CPD) for medical professionals, particularly urologists. In this 13-minute presentation, he encourages self-investment in meaningful ways that may often be neglected, such as seeking external feedback and mentorship.

The concept of post-game analysis, using video playback to evaluate surgical techniques and outcomes, is introduced as a valuable tool for surgeons to improve. Terlecki underscores the value of peer feedback, noting studies showing significant outcome differences between surgeons with varying skill levels. He encourages others to embrace coachability and continuous self-improvement, aiming to refine their skills while navigating the challenges of the modern medical landscape.

In-Office Management of Female SUI: Optimizing Productivity

Posted by Robert J. Evans, MD, FACS | Mar 2024

Robert J. Evans, MD, FACS, presents guidance on how practice leaders can optimize in-office management of female stress urinary incontinence. He begins with a review of pre-visit intakes, and best-practices for gathering pertinent information in the office intake form.

Dr. Evans then turns to appropriate delegation of tasks within the practice, noting that APPs can evaluate patients in-office and initiate some treatments for female stress urinary incontinence. Additionally, the patient’s gynecologist can provide additional insight into treating female stress urinary incontinence.

Dr. Evans concludes by reviewing best practices for in-office procedures, and reiterates the importance of delegating tasks appropriately. APPs are a practice’s greatest resource for optimizing patient treatment in-office.