Wendy L. Poage, MHA, presented “Patient Advocacy for Prostate Conditions: Advocate Perspective.” during the 31st International Prostate Cancer Update in July 2021 in Snowbird, Utah.
How to cite: Poage, Wendy L. “Patient Advocacy for Prostate Conditions: Advocate Perspective.” July 2021. Accessed Jul 2024. https://grandroundsinurology.com/patient-advocacy-advocate-perspective/
Patient Advocacy for Prostate Conditions: Advocate Perspective – Summary
Wendy L. Poage, MHA, President of the Prostate Conditions Education Council (PCEC), discusses a survey done with primary care physicians (PCPs), explains what PCEC, a non-profit advocacy group, has been doing during the COVID-19 pandemic, and provides action items to urologists to help with advocacy work. Giving the caveat that the survey was just a pilot study with fewer than 100 PCPs, Ms. Poage explains that the data show that even though 90 percent of PSA screenings for prostate cancer are performed by PCPs, only 68 percent of PCPs say it is a valuable test, suggesting that there may be some gaps in who receives screening. Ms. Poage emphasizes PCEC’s commitment to PSA screening, explaining that PCEC teamed up with LabCorp to provide online screening forms and in-person discussions and screenings throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. They also worked with MDxHealth on managing prostate cancer patients during the pandemic. Ms. Poage explains that they worked on a telehealth collaboration tool so prostate cancer patients could still receive treatment. She notes as well that PCEC also focuses on education for veterans, genetic risk groups, people exposed to environmental hazards, people of lower socioeconomic status, marginalized racial groups, and rural populations. Ms. Poage concludes with a call to action, asking urologists to host educational events and reach out to their primary care partners.
About The 31st Annual International Prostate Cancer Update:
The International Prostate Cancer Update (IPCU), founded in 1990, is a multi-day CME conference focused on prostate cancer treatment updates with expert, international faculty. It is led by expert physicians and is designed for urologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and other healthcare professionals involved in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. Ms. Poage delivered this educational activity during the 31st iteration of the meeting in July 2021 in Snowbird, Utah.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Wendy L. Poage, MHA, earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Colorado State University in 1993, and her Master’s of Healthcare Administration from Webster University in 1997. Ms. Poage has been the President of the Prostate Conditions Education Council since 1998 and the Administrator of Urologic Oncology at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center for over ten years.
Ms. Poage’s vast experience with prostate cancer includes leadership positions in renowned educational institutions, hospitals, nonprofits, and private practice settings. Her unique expertise and areas of interests include: bridging the gap between patients, research, and medical providers; cause marketing for challenging demographics; and building innovative national and international programs that are highly sought after by outside entities. Ms. Poage actively participates in research and has authored a variety of publications, including scientific abstracts and general magazine articles. She has also been selected to serve with several affiliated nonprofits around the country. She has served as Vice President of the National Alliance for State Prostate Cancer Coalitions, and is involved with the Obadiah Cole Foundation and the Prostate Cancer Roundtable. As a highly sought after international consultant and resource, she speaks to both physician and patient groups, including speaking engagements at the American Urological Association, the American Association of Clinical Chemistry, and the Future Directions in Urology Symposium.
