A High-Efficiency Consultation Improves Urological Diagnosis in Patients with Complex LUTS—A Pilot Study

Abstract

(1) Background: The diagnosis of moderate-severe lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) is not easy due to the complexity of the micturition act. Sequential diagnostic tests can be time consuming due to waiting lists. Thus, we developed a diagnostic model combining all the tests in a single one-stop consultation. (2) Methods: In a prospective pilot study in patients with complex LUTS, they received all diagnostic tests (ultrasound, uroflowmetry, cystoscopy, pressure-flow study) in a single consultation and by the same doctor. Patients’ results were compared with those from a 2021 paired cohort that underwent the classical sequential diagnostic pathway. (3) Results: Per patient, the high-efficiency consultation saved: 175 days of waiting, 60 min doctor time and 120 nursing assistant time and over 300 euros on average. The intervention also saved 120 patient journeys to the hospital, lowering the total carbon footprint by 145.86 kg CO2. In one-third of the patients, performing all the tests within the same consultation contributed to reaching a more appropriate diagnosis and thus more effective treatment. Patients’ satisfaction was high, with good tolerability. (4) Conclusions: The high-efficiency urology consultation improves waiting times, therapeutic decisions and the degree of patient satisfaction while optimizing the use of resources and generating savings for the health system.