Introduction: The rising prevalence of internet usage and smartphone applications among urology patients underscores the critical role of digital health literacy. This study investigates the acceptability of digital health technologies among urology patients and identifies factors influencing their acceptance.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, anonymous survey consisting of 12 questions was developed based on literature research. It was conducted online using SurveyMonkey and targeted patients in the CUROS network in Germany. The Data were analysed descriptively using SPSS.Results: Of 1,039 participants, 99.1% reported using the internet, with 84.4% using it several times daily. YouTube emerged as the most popular social media platform. While 90.2% searched for health information online, trust in online resources was low (mean score 4.63). Only 35.2% used medical apps, but 62.8% expressed willingness to use them if prescribed. Furthermore, 74.2% supported the use of electronic patient records (EPRs), although concerns regarding privacy were noted.Conclusions: Urology patients demonstrate a high engagement with digital resources but express concerns about the reliability of online health information. Enhancing education on digital health tools and fostering trust in these resources is essential for improving patient outcomes and encouraging the integration of digital health in urological care.

Introduction: The rising prevalence of internet usage and smartphone applications among urology patients underscores the critical role of digital health literacy. This study investigates the acceptability of digital health technologies among urology patients and identifies factors influencing their acceptance.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, anonymous survey consisting of 12 questions was developed based on literature research. It was conducted online using SurveyMonkey and targeted patients in the CUROS network in Germany. The Data were analysed descriptively using SPSS.Results: Of 1,039 participants, 99.1% reported using the internet, with 84.4% using it several times daily. YouTube emerged as the most popular social media platform. While 90.2% searched for health information online, trust in online resources was low (mean score 4.63). Only 35.2% used medical apps, but 62.8% expressed willingness to use them if prescribed. Furthermore, 74.2% supported the use of electronic patient records (EPRs), although concerns regarding privacy were noted.Conclusions: Urology patients demonstrate a high engagement with digital resources but express concerns about the reliability of online health information. Enhancing education on digital health tools and fostering trust in these resources is essential for improving patient outcomes and encouraging the integration of digital health in urological care.

Introduction: Guideline recommendations are meant to help minimize morbidity and to improve the care of nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) patients but studies have suggested an underuse of guideline-recommended care. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of adherence of German and Austrian urologists to German guideline recommendations. Methods: A survey of 27 items evaluating diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations (15 cases of strong consensus and 6 cases of consensus) for NMIBC was administered among 14 urologic training courses. Survey construction and realization followed the checklist for reporting results of internet e-surveys and was approved by an internal review board. Results: Between January 2018 and June 2019, a total of 307 urologists responded to the questionnaire, with a mean response rate of 71%. The data showed a weak role of urine cytology (54%) for initial diagnostics although it is strongly recommended by the guideline. The most frequently used supporting diagnostic tool during transurethral resection of the bladder was hexaminolevulinate (95%). Contrary to the guideline recommendation, 38% of the participants performed a second resection in the case of pTa low-grade NMIBC. Correct monitoring of Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) response with cystoscopy and cytology was performed by only 34% of the urologists. Conclusions: We found a discrepancy between certain guideline recommendations and daily routine practice concerning the use of urine cytology for initial diagnostics, instillation therapy with a low monitoring rate of BCG response, and follow-up care with unnecessary second resection after pTa low-grade NMIBC in particular. Our survey showed a moderate overall adherence rate of 73%. These results demonstrate the need for sharpening awareness of German guideline recommendations by promoting more intense education of urologists to optimize NMIBC care thus decreasing morbidity and mortality rates.

Introduction: Guideline recommendations are meant to help minimize morbidity and to improve the care of nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) patients but studies have suggested an underuse of guideline-recommended care. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of adherence of German and Austrian urologists to German guideline recommendations. Methods: A survey of 27 items evaluating diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations (15 cases of strong consensus and 6 cases of consensus) for NMIBC was administered among 14 urologic training courses. Survey construction and realization followed the checklist for reporting results of internet e-surveys and was approved by an internal review board. Results: Between January 2018 and June 2019, a total of 307 urologists responded to the questionnaire, with a mean response rate of 71%. The data showed a weak role of urine cytology (54%) for initial diagnostics although it is strongly recommended by the guideline. The most frequently used supporting diagnostic tool during transurethral resection of the bladder was hexaminolevulinate (95%). Contrary to the guideline recommendation, 38% of the participants performed a second resection in the case of pTa low-grade NMIBC. Correct monitoring of Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) response with cystoscopy and cytology was performed by only 34% of the urologists. Conclusions: We found a discrepancy between certain guideline recommendations and daily routine practice concerning the use of urine cytology for initial diagnostics, instillation therapy with a low monitoring rate of BCG response, and follow-up care with unnecessary second resection after pTa low-grade NMIBC in particular. Our survey showed a moderate overall adherence rate of 73%. These results demonstrate the need for sharpening awareness of German guideline recommendations by promoting more intense education of urologists to optimize NMIBC care thus decreasing morbidity and mortality rates.