Prof. Thorsten Bach appointed EAU Patient Information Consultant
Prof. Thorsten Bach (Hamburg, DE) has been appointed EAU Patient Information Consultant. In this newly created function within the European School of Urology (ESU), Bach will focus on encouraging partnerships with national societies to boost the development of this truly collaborative effort.
“It’s an honour to be appointed Patient Information Consultant,” said Bach, Head of the Section of Minimal-Invasive Urology and Laser Treatment at the Asklepios Hospital Harburg in Hamburg. “With the increasing amount of biased or incorrect medical information on the Internet, it is of utmost importance to offer our patients unbiased, guideline-based information on urological diseases. This is what EAU Patient Information stands for.”
By making jargon-free, reliable information on urological diseases available online, the EAU opens new channels of communication with patients. The EAU Patient Information website is a useful tool for urologists to help their patients become emancipated partners. It ensures better understanding of diseases and conditions, improves compliance with the treatment and, consequently, leads to better treatment results and improved safety.
EAU Patient Information can help create a common vocabulary between doctors and patients. The information is currently offered in 10 languages and more translations are being developed in collaboration with national societies. This unique characteristic enables urologists and patients throughout Europe to read and discuss the information in their native language.
Bach, who has been involved in the project from the beginning, said: “being part of the team and seeing the project expand from a small pilot on urolithiasis to a multilingual website with information on various urological topics is one of the most exciting experiences I have had during my urological career. I am committed to making this project even bigger and better.”