2001 American Urological Association Gallup Survey: changes in physician practice patterns, satisfaction with urology, and treatment of prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction.
OBJECTIVE
The Health Policy Survey and Research Committee of the American Urological Association and the Gallup organization have performed 9 surveys of American urologists since 1992 for the purpose of assessing demographics and practice patterns. The results of the 2001 survey are presented.


METHODS
A random sample of 507 urologists was interviewed in February and March 2001. Major content areas were physician practice patterns, cryosurgery/brachytherapy, prostate specific antigen, erectile dysfunction, Medicare and the Internet.


RESULTS
Membership in the American Urological Association continues to increase among American urologists. The number of patients seen weekly in the office also continues to increase. While age at retirement has not changed significantly, most urologists are satisfied with the specialty and increasing numbers are using the Internet.


CONCLUSIONS
Minimally invasive procedures such as brachytherapy for prostate cancer continue to proliferate and there is evidence that the specialty of urology is continuing to become more office based. The demand for urological services appears to be continuing to increase.
O'Leary
Michael P
MP
American Urological Association, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Baum
Neil H
NH
Blizzard
Richard
R
Blute
Michael L
ML
Cooper
Thomas P
TP
Dineen
Martin K
MK
Fenninger
Randy B
RB
Gee
William F
WF
Gormley
E Ann
EA
Ignatoff
Jeffrey M
JM
Nachtsheim
Daniel A
DA
Painter
M Ray
MR
Thomas
Raju
R
Wei
John T
JT
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003625:Data Collection; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000639:trends; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000639:trends*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012955:Societies, Medical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States; D014572:Urology / Q000639:trends*