1997 American Urological Association Gallup survey: Changes in diagnosis and management of prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia, and other practice trends from 1994 to 1997.
OBJECTIVE
The American Urological Association first commissioned the Gallup Organization to conduct a study to assess urologist practice patterns in 1992. We present the results of the 1997 survey, the sixth consecutive Gallup survey performed for the Association.


METHODS
A random sample of 502 American urologists who had completed urological residency and practiced at least 20 hours weekly in 1996 was interviewed by telephone in February and March 1997.


RESULTS
Emerging trends showed significant changes since 1994 in how urologists diagnosed and treated prostate cancer. The survey revealed a significant change in the tests routinely ordered to stage newly diagnosed prostate cancer and for diagnostic evaluation of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.


CONCLUSIONS
Urologists are becoming more cost conscious and effective in ordering pretreatment testing. Urologists are becoming more oriented toward medical treatment for the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia, and less laser surgery is being performed.
Health Policy Survey and Research Committee, American Urological Association, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
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WF
Gee
H L
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Holtgrewe
M L
ML
Blute
B J
BJ
Miles
M J
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Naslund
R E
RE
Nellans
M P
MP
O'Leary
R
R
Thomas
M R
MR
Painter
J J
JJ
Meyer
T J
TJ
Rohner
T P
TP
Cooper
R
R
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R B
RB
Fenninger
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Emmons
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D012955:Societies, Medical; D014572:Urology