EAU PI names Eamonn Rogers as new Chair

EAU Patient Information (EAU PI), the patient initiative of the European Association of Urology (EAU), is pleased to introduce its new Chair: Mr. Eamonn T. Rogers.

Recently, Mr. Rogers (Galway, IE) took over as Chair from Dr. Mark Behrendt (Amsterdam, NL) who chaired EAU PI from June 2019 to September 2020 and headed the EAU PI Working Group. This group is an expert team of healthcare professionals consisting of urologists, specialist nurses and a uropathologist from several European countries who contribute to developing and updating EAU Guidelines-based content about urological cancers and diseases as provided on EAU PI’s website (patients.uroweb.org), and explore new ways to further develop EAU PI.

Mr. Rogers, M.Ch., M. Med. Sci., LLB (Hons), F.R.C.S.I., F.R.C.S. (Urol), Dip. Urol. Oncol. (Baylor) is an experienced and award-winning urologist and clinical advisor with a track record spanning over 25 years. In 1999, in conjunction with his colleagues, he received the Aneurin Bevan Award for exemplary management of urology patients at Central Middlesex Hospital, London. He is a former president of the Irish Society of Urology (2017-2018). His current positions include the following: National Clinical Advisor in Urology to Irish Healthcare System (HSE), Lead Urologist in the National Cancer Control Programme (Ireland), and Consultant Urologist at the University College Hospital Galway (Ireland). He recently received an adjunct appointment to the Department of Urology, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Medicine, USA.

He is a member of the following Societies: Irish Society of Urology, European Association of Urology, American Urological Association, and Société Internationale d’Urologie. His track record includes more than 40 peer-reviewed publications. Throughout his career, he was responsible for formal and informal tuition of both undergraduates and fellow postgraduates at University College Hospital Galway, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Baylor College of Medicine and University of Dublin, Trinity College. He presented at regular surgical meetings and was responsible for unit presentations at clinical, radiological and histopathology conferences.

In the following sections, you will find highlights of Mr. Rogers’ vision and strategy on improved patient care and empowerment.

Vision on patient care and approach

“In the future, Urologists must continue to provide high-quality patient care and improved patient access to urological services at an affordable cost to health providers. This will be particularly challenging as European Urologists manage highly prevalent, chronic conditions including prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia, urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction that consume financial resources, and are projected to increase in incidence as patients live longer.

EAU PI must address and innovate its approach to communication from multiple perspectives, the individual, interpersonal, institutional, community-based, and policy level, all at the same time. This is likely to be far more effective than using a single approach, e.g. to the individual patient. This necessitates simultaneous communication and the development of links with multiple institutional and individual stakeholders, such as healthcare providers, patients, multidisciplinary health professionals and public health officials. ”

Collaboration with national societies

“While EAU PI is strategically positioned to inform and advocate for patients, its approach must recognise Europe’s unique multiculturalism, reflecting cultural sensitivity among patients and healthcare providers. EAU PI must formally collaborate with the national societies, seeking linkages with their websites.”

Mission within the scope of the EAU

“The mission of the EAU is to raise the level of urological care in Europe, and for many years this has been done through educational and scientific programmers aimed at urologists. Patient expectations of healthcare delivery and outcomes are changing as technology permeates society and the healthcare economy. The EAU must reach out to urological patients, empowering them as allies to further enhance the quality of their care, raise patient awareness, educate urologists and patients, and demonstrate cost-effectiveness.”

“Urologists can help patients understand the important role patients have in managing their own health challenges. The role of EAU PI is to enable this link.”

Evolvement of patient empowerment

“I feel the role of EAU PI in the next three to five years must evolve beyond information provision and act to empower patients to assist urologists in the management of their urinary conditions. In the same manner as the EAU lobbies, the EU and statutory healthcare providers regarding cancer care, EAU PI should assist the EAU executive to also lobby healthcare providers to provide patients with the tools and information to participate in their own care. Urologists must not just ask patients what’s the matter with them, but what matters to them. Urologists enhance patient advocacy by empowering patients to become their own advocates, raising awareness about urological diseases and focusing political attention.”

We welcome Mr. Rogers to EAU PI and wish him success in his role as Chair. We are convinced that Mr. Rogers’ contributions will bring the EAU patient information initiative to new heights.

Learn more about EAU PI via patients.uroweb.org, follow us on Twitter (@EauPatient) and Facebook (@EAUPatientInformation), or send an e-mail to: info.patientinformation@uroweb.org.