Although urology is a surgical specialty, it has become apparent that
changes in health care delivery and financing have led to an increasing
volume of care being provided by urologists in their offices. A major
part of the revenue of a urology practice depends on office production
and efficient management. To have a successful practice, the produc-
tive, committed urologist must have a thorough understanding of the
procedures and problems that need to be dealt with in the office.
Moreover. the urologist must play an active role in the administration
and business aspects of running the office. Surprisingly, very little
has been written about the office practice of urology. Office Urology:
The Clinician's Guide presents a fresh, practical, and concise text-
book covering the vital issues that the urologist must face on a daily
basis in the office. The initial chapters of the textbook cover the
critical aspects of managing the urologic office, such as principles of
management, marketing the practice, proper billing and coding, advanced
information systems, and important legal issues. The book is not
intended to review in detail the academic aspects of the various
pathologies pertaining to urology, which have been well covered in
several other textbooks. Instead, the clinical chapters deal with
practical issues, such as selecting appropriate treatment and counsel-
ing patients on the optimal therapy for the problems that the urologist
frequently man- ages. The individual authors have demonstrated expertise
in their fields.
