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Abstract

We live in an era immersed in cyber technology in which video-enabled smart mobile devices have become ubiquitous. Indeed, studies have reported that more than half of all patients own a smart mobile device and up to 80% access online health information. 1 Thackeray R. Crookston B.T. West J.H. Correlates of health-related social media use among adults. J Med Internet Res. 2013; 15: e21 Crossref PubMed Scopus (190) Google Scholar In fact, in 2011, the US Secretary of Health and Human Services referred to mobile telehealth services as “the biggest technology breakthrough of our time” and maintained that its use would “address our greatest national challenge,” that is, health care access. 2 Steinhubl S.R. Muse E.D. Topol E.J. Can mobile health technologies transform health care?. J Am Med Assoc. 2013; 310: 2395-2396 Crossref PubMed Scopus (311) Google Scholar It therefore seems intuitive that such technology could provide a safe, efficient, and effective avenue for health care delivery through remote video visits (VVs). Editorial CommentUrologyVol. 85Issue 6PreviewThere is a paradigm shift taking place in medicine, and in particular, in the field of urology. We have seen urologic cases that were once open procedures and are now performed with minimally invasive surgery using laparoscopy and robotic surgery. We have seen more surgeries conducted in ambulatory surgical centers and as office procedures, such as a microwave of the prostate gland. We have gone from seeing patients one at a time to shared medical appointments,1 in which the doctor can provide care for 8-10 patients at the same time. Full-Text PDF