5 questions to ask when choosing the best urologist in Sydney

There may come a time when you need to seek the advice of a trusted urologist in Sydney. Now, what is a urological specialist? This is a physician with the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to help you with any problems affecting your urinary system or male reproductive organs.

Uncomfortable, unusual, or painful symptoms in these areas mean that you need a highly qualified and experienced urologist who can investigate your condition to reach an accurate diagnosis and provide suitable and innovative treatment options.

However, evaluating a urologist can be challenging when you’ve never needed one before. Few doctors are equipped with the training, expertise, and results to make you feel confident about the treatment.

So, how do you know how to choose a urologist in Sydney? Here are five questions to ask to give you confidence in your choice:

1. Does the urologist provide comprehensive urology services?

Once you are referred to urologists, they must offer a comprehensive range of services designed to meet your urological needs. There are overlapping areas good urologists specialise in so it pays to check their area of expertise.

For instance, did you know that many cancer-surviving patients eventually experienced erectile dysfunction (Voznesensky et al., 2016)? Seeing a prostate cancer specialist with a urological surgery background in Sydney who often deals with these issues can give a holistic treatment in this case. There are many urological specialties that cater to specific needs (e.g. infertility, sexual medicine, surgery, etc.), and your provider needs to have a comprehensive list. When seeking treatment, always look at the top urologists in Sydney and compare their services and specialisations.

Read more on what a urologist does and how they can help in a previous article here.

2. Will the urologist use the latest medical processes and technology to get the best results?

Knowing the procedures your urologist will use is in your best interest. If they adopt the latest innovations in technology, this means that they demonstrate mastery in their fields. You want a urologist with extensive experience and success using these technologies; you don’t want to be a guinea pig!

The best urologists in Sydney should be able to provide:

  • Results
  • Risks
  • Expected or unexpected complications of any treatment options presented to you
  • Other options available to you

Be sure to check these aren’t general field results and that the surgeons or urologists themselves achieved these.

3. Does the urologist participate in ongoing research and education?

Urology specialists who understand the latest advancements in technology, safety, and, most importantly, results are at the cutting edge of their field. If you’re establishing standards on how to choose a urologist, one criterion you need to ensure is that they value continued learning. This shows efficiency, and they are always at the top of their game. This is a vital component of what makes them the best (and most efficient).

4. Has the urologist won any recognised awards?

Recognition from the peak medical bodies among urology specialists in Sydney is a significant feature that you should look for in choosing the best urologist. Their personal expertise, side-by-side with the medical community’s testimonials and references, makes that urologist even more reliable. 

Dr Katelaris has been awarded the Noel Newton medal from the Royal Australasian college of surgeons and the Keith Kirkland prize from the urological Society of Australasia so you can be sure that his peers in the field highly regard his expertise.

5. Is the urologist a sought-after thought leader and medical commentator in the community?

If a doctor is regularly invited to appear as an expert in their field, you can be assured that their experience, knowledge and skills are what got them there. After all, not everyone gets to be on TV unless you’re one of the best urologists in Sydney!

Looking for the best urologist in Sydney?

So with these questions in mind, who is the best urologist in Sydney? Can one still find a good urologist these days?

Well, the answer to that will be subjective, of course. However, as far as comprehensive services, latest processes and results, ongoing research, recognition, and thought-leadership go, Dr Phillip Katelaris deserves the standing with a select few.

Why is Dr Katelaris one of the best urologists in Sydney?

Dr Katelaris provides comprehensive urology services specialising in a variety of innovative treatments regarding prostate cancer, prostate enlargement, vasectomies, vasectomy reversal, incontinence, bladder cancer, kidney stones, and erectile dysfunction.

Dr Katelaris also performs all surgeries using the latest advancements, processes, and technologies to ensure excellent results, minimal risks and quality of life. He is one of the top urologists in Sydney.

Trained in robotic prostate surgery in the United States, Dr Katelaris adopted it into his practice for his carefully selected patients. In using Robotic Surgery, Dr Katelaris aims to achieve the three goals of radical prostate cancer surgery: cancer cures and treatments, preservation of continence and preservation of erectile function.

To learn more about the advances in prostate cancer treatment and find out how it works, check out the Robotic Prostatectomy page for more info.

Dr Katelaris believes that ongoing medical education is paramount to modern surgical practice. He regularly attends and presents at national and international conferences specialising in the latest advancements in urological and surgical practice and technologies.

He has also conducted research in the field of prostate cancer, particularly with respect to the application of magnetic resonance imaging technology for early and accurate diagnosis. 

In terms of participating in the urological education field, Dr Katelaris has been involved in the medical education of undergraduates and surgical registrars, and he frequently lectures general practitioners on all aspects of urological care.

A well-known thought leader and sought-after medical commentator, Dr Katelaris has also appeared frequently in the media and as a guest speaker on the following shows:

Dr Katelaris has also received awards for his outstanding service and recognised excellence in surgery across Australia and New Zealand. He was awarded the highly respected Keith Kirkland Prize from the Urological Society of Australia & New Zealand and the Sir Alan Newton Surgical Education Medal from the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Dr Katelaris operates out of three locations in Sydney in his practices in Hornsby, Castle Hill and St Leonards. He also performs surgeries at the renowned Sydney Adventist Hospital.

For further information about Dr Katelaris and his extensive experience in urological practice and surgery, please explore the website. You can also make an inquiry or request a second opinion on the contact page.

References:

Voznesensky, M., Annam, K., & Kreder, K. J. (2016). Understanding and Managing Erectile Dysfunction in Patients Treated for Cancer. Journal of oncology practice, 12(4), 297–304. https://doi.org/10.1200/JOP.2016.010678