Practice trends of American urologists in the treatment of impotence, incontinence and infertility

Abstract

Purpose: Trends of urologist practice patterns in evaluating and treating impotence, incontinence and infertility in the United States were assessed.

Materials and methods: In July 1995 the executive interviewing branch of the Gallup Organization selected randomly and interviewed by telephone 533 practicing urologists in the United States who had provided urological patient care for more than 20 hours per week, practiced in 1994 and completed a urological residency program.

Results: Treatment of male sexual dysfunction and female urinary incontinence comprises a significant portion of the professional activity of United States urologists. However, evaluation and management of male infertility occupy a small portion of the average urological work load. While more than half of United States urologist office clinical laboratories were inspected in 1994, only 2% failed evaluation due to major deficiencies.

Conclusions: Male sexual dysfunction and female urinary incontinence are major areas of urological practice in the United States but male infertility is not. Few United States urologist clinical laboratories failed inspection because of major deficiencies.