BRINGING ROBOTIC SOLUTIONS TO THE FIELD OF UROLOGY
Editor-in-Chief of EMJ Urology Journal Dr Abdullah Erdem Canda talks about implementing robotic solutions in his field and how medical journals support remote specialist training in healthcare
1. Please tell us about your field of expertise and three key highlights in your career in the last 10 years.
Over the last 10 years, I have focused on robotic urologic surgery. I am a board member of the European Association of Urology Robotic Urology Section (ERUS) and have involvement in several robotic urology ERUS training activities. I have also worked as a faculty member at Koç University Hospital in Istanbul and Director of the Rahmi M. Koç Academy of Interventional Medicine, Education, and Simulation surgical training and convention centre.
2. What aspects of EMJ do you think most benefit healthcare professionals in your discipline?
Publishing interesting articles from the field of urology and urology congresses, as well as congress/meeting reviews.
3. Is there anything specific you have read or heard at EMJ that stands out as particularly useful?
Publishing congress/meeting reviews particularly stands out as useful for urologists – providing detailed information to those who could not attend these meetings.
4. How do you see the future of healthcare education and what role do medical journals like EMJ play?
Medical journals like EMJ play an important role in medical education by publishing articles, abstracts and online lectures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In urology, we hosted two webinars on robotic adenomectomy & holmium laser enucleation of the prostate in surgical management of benign prostate hyperplasia that attracted great attention.
5. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic have you noticed any changes in the way healthcare education is provided?
The importance and effectiveness of online platforms have proven very successful. We can even organise big online congresses. I think we will continue to use online platforms even when the pandemic (which has already decreased following the vaccine rollout) is completely over.
6. Fake news challenges publishers across different types of content. Do you have any experience of it? How can journals like EMJ continue to cut through?
Researching the topics extensively might prevent fake news to some extent.
7. It’s 10 years since EMJ launched – what do you think has been the most significant development in your field of expertise? What do you see as the main focus for the next 10 years?
The application of robotic surgery in urology – for cancers and benign conditions – has been the most significant development in my field of expertise. I think in the next ten years new robotic platforms will appear on the market and almost every urologist will be using one of these platforms.
8. Is there anything else you wish to add?
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, hands-on training could not be given efficiently for a period of at least two years which I think has made a significant impact on trainees’ careers. Therefore, training centres are required more than ever to fill this gap, and journals should spare more space for training articles, videos and activities.
