Saturday Congress highlight: What do we tell our urolithiasis patients?

Saturday, 16 March, has over 50 sessions on schedule – among which are the first plenary session, poster sessions, ESU courses, ESU Hands-on trainings, a History Office session and a series sessions organised by the EAU Sections. Additionally, the evening programme includes a several symposia. One of these sessions, organised by the EAU Section of Urolithiasis, will discuss the management of kidney stones in the context of personalised medicine. On the programme are three thematic blocks: increasing stone prevention compliance through patient education, role of stone analysis in the personalised management of upper urinary tract stone disease; and the management of complications.Within this programme, Prof. Dr. Bernhard Hess (Zurich, Switzerland), will be discussing a question that is of high relevance in the modern urology practice: “How precisely do we really inform our urolithiasis patients regarding pathophysiology, nutrition and medication?”

“Over the years, I have seen and evaluated more than 1000 kidney stone patients. I have learned that I make my diagnosis not just from looking at laboratory results and CT scans, but very much based on the individual patient’s history and the stone analysis as well as the patient’s dietary habits and occupation,” said Prof. Hess in his commentary. “After having seen all laboratory results and radiologic findings, I take 60 minutes to talk to the patient and then advise him individually on how to avoid further stone episodes.”

In his presentation, Prof. Hess will share his experience in practising a personalised approach during patient consultations.

“In order to evaluate my clinical routine and my “gut feeling” that an individual approach to the patient is crucial, I have sent a simple questionnaire with 5 multiple choice questions to 67 calcium stone formers coming to my practice in 2011 and 2012,” he explained.

The results of this survey will be the main focus of the lecture which will answer the following questions:

- How well do stone patients understand what we are telling them about the pathophysiology of their stone formation ?

- How well do they comply with our recommendations regarding changes in drinking an eating habits ?

- Did they take prescribed medication?

- Were they satisfied with the advice that they received?

The Meeting of the EAU Section of Urolithiasis will take place on Saturday, 16 March 2013, from 10:15 to 14:00 in the Brown Hall 3 on Level S2.