Abstract
e18335 Background: Urology workforce shortage in rural areas limits access to surveillance cystoscopy for bladder cancer. Tele-cystoscopy is a novel solution whereby an advanced practice provider (APP) performs cystoscopy at a satellite location with real-time interpretation and guidance by an off-site urologist via transmitted video. We hypothesized that tele-cystoscopy videos would be comparable to traditional cystoscopy videos in diagnostic utility. Methods: Our IRB approved tele-cystoscopy protocol utilizes a dual-cystoscopy model. Two sequential cystoscopies are performed first by an APP with off-site urologist guidance (tele-cystoscopy) then by a urologist onsite (traditional cystoscopy) without removal of the cystoscope from the urethra. Both cystoscopies are video-captured. Twelve de-identified videos were reviewed via electronic survey (Qualtrics) by board-certified urologists who were blinded as to whom performed the cystoscopy. Survey questions centered on completeness of exam and diagnostic level of suspicion. A random effects logistic regression model was used to account for multiple reviews of the same video. Results: Diagnostic utility, defined as visibility sufficient for diagnosis, was 83% for both tele-cystoscopy and traditional cystoscopy. There were no statistically significant differences in completeness of exam between the two techniques (tele 83.3%, traditional 91.7%, p = 0.308). When asked about action taken based on cystoscopic findings, reviewers recommended action other than planned surveillance (i.e., biopsy, operative resection, etc.) for 58.3% of tele-cystoscopy videos vs. 66.7% for traditional cystoscopy videos (p = 0.300). Conclusions: Tele-cystoscopy provides high quality bladder surveillance with diagnostic capacity comparable to that of traditional cystoscopy. These results support continued expansion of the tele-cystoscopy platform as a means to amplify the care provided by a single urologist. [Table: see text]
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