Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Opinion
  • Published:

A new era of Asian urology: a SWOT analysis

Abstract

Economic prosperity and increasing connectivity have made Asia an emerging centre of growth in health care, including in the field of urology. Large and varied patient populations, the availability of a trained workforce, the use of English as a common communication language, and overall low costs have contributed to this change. Rapid growth of regional urological associations and journals has fuelled the aspirations and abilities of Asian urologists to not only keep abreast of but often lead the change in urological disease management. Asian urology has immense potential to expand in areas in which it currently lags behind, the most important being research. The increasing ability to travel aids in developing networks for collaboration. However, Asian urologists will need to look at sustainable models of engagement and temper the need for short-term results if these opportunities are to reach their maximal potential.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Figure 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. World Population Sheet. Population Reference Bureau http://www.prb.org/pdf14/2014-world-population-data-sheet_eng.pdf (2014).

  2. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Invest in ASEAN. http://investasean.asean.org/index.php/page/view/healthcare (2016).

  3. Internet usage statistics, internet users in the world by region. Internet world statistics http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm (2016).

  4. Dalela, D. et al. The growth of computer-assisted (robotic) surgery in urology 2000–2014: the role of Asian surgeons, Asian J. Urol. 2, 1–10 (2015).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Rizvi, S. A. et al. The management of stone disease. BJU Int. 89 (Suppl. 1), 62–68 (2002).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Rule, A. D. et al. The ROKS nomogram for predicting a second symptomatic stone episode. J. Am. Soc. Nephrol. 25, 2878–2886 (2014).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Bhageria, A., Nayak, B., Seth, A., Dogra, P. N. & Kumar, R. Paediatric percutaneous nephrolithotomy: single-centre 10-year experience. J. Pediatr. Urol. 9, 472–475 (2013).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Kamphuis, G. M., Baard, J., Westendarp, M. & de la Rosette. J. J. Lessons learned from the CROES percutaneous nephrolithotomy global study. World J. Urol. 33, 223–233 (2015).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Hussain, M. et al. Management of stone disease: 17 years experience of a stone clinic in a developing country. J. Pak. Med. Assoc. 59, 843–846 (2009).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Sinha, M. & Krishnamoorthy, V. Use of a vegetable model as a training tool for PCNL puncture. Indian J. Urol. 31, 156–159 (2015).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Javali, T., Pathade, A. & Nagaraj, H. K. A. Novel method of ensuring safe and accurate dilatation during percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Int. Braz. J. Urol. 41, 1014–1019 (2015).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Jagtap, J. et al. Which is the preferred modality of renal access for a trainee urologist: ultrasonography or fluoroscopy? Results of a prospective randomized trial. J. Endourol. 28, 1464–1469 (2014).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Jain, S. India Today Best Medical Colleges 2012: AIIMS is the clear winner. India Today http://www.indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-today-best-medical-colleges-2012-aiims/1/199764.html (2012).

  14. Medical tourism guide. Urology centers in Asia - hospitals guide. http://www.health-tourism.com/urology/asia-7/#Countries

  15. Hemal, A. K., Kumar, R., Misra, M. C. & Chumber, S. Retroperitoneoscopic adrenal surgery with reusable instruments. J. Laparoendosc. Adv. Surg. Tech. A 12, 287–291 (2002).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Pandya, S. K. Re-using disposables intended for single use. Natl Med. J. India 10, 36–37 (1997).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Colak, T., Ersoz, G., Akca, T., Kanik, A. & Aydin, S. Efficacy and safety of reuse of disposable laparoscopic instruments in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a prospective randomized study. Surg. Endosc. 18, 727–731 (2004).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Richter, S., Kollmar, O., Schilling, M. K., Pistorius, G. A. & Menger, M. D. Efficacy and quality of vessel sealing: comparison of a reusable with a disposable device and effects of clamp surface geometry and structure. Surg. Endosc. 20, 890–894 (2006).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Slater, M., Booth, M. I. & Dehn, T. C. Cost-effective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Ann. R. Coll. Surg. Engl. 91, 670–672 (2009).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Koo, K. C. et al. Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy in the Korean population: a 5-year propensity-score matched comparative analysis versus open radical prostatectomy. Int. J. Urol. 221, 781–785 (2014).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Dogra, P. N. et al. Perioperative outcome of initial 190 cases of robot-assistedaparoscopic radical prostatectomy — a single-center experience. Indian J. Urol. 28, 159–163 (2012).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Hirasawa, Y. et al. Impact of a preoperatively estimated prostate volume using transrectal ultrasonography on surgical and oncological outcomes in a single surgeon's experience with robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Surg. Endosc. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00464-015-4664-1 (2015).

  23. Yip, K. H. et al. Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy in Hong Kong: a review of 235 cases. J. Endourol. 26, 258–263 (2012).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Overdorf, J. Medical Meccas: an oasis for India's poorest. Newsweek http://www.newsweek.com/medical-meccas-oasis-indias-poorest-112171 (2006).

  25. Tamsulosin brands in India. Drugsupdate.com http://www.drugsupdate.com/brand/showavailablebrands/109 (2016).

  26. Flomax®. 4flomax.com http://www.4flomax.com/home (2016).

  27. Epstein, R. A. How other countries judge malpractice. The Wall Street Journal http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB124631652544770707 (2009).

  28. Kekre, N. S. Urology in Asia — India. Int. J. Urol. 18, 184 (2011).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Member associations of the Urological Association of Asia. Urological Association of Asia http://uaanet.org/member-associations.php (2016).

  30. Fujisawa, M. Inaugural address of Professor Fujisawa. Japanese Urological Association https://www.urol.or.jp/en/greeting.html (2015).

    Google Scholar 

  31. About USI. Urological Society of India http://usi.org.in (2016).

  32. Journal Rankings Urology, Asiatic Region. Scimago Journal & Country Rank. http://www.scimagojr.com/journalrank.php?country=Asiatic%20Region&category=2748 (2016).

  33. Asian Journal of Urology. Elsevier. http://www.journals.elsevier.com/asian-journal-of-urology (2016).

  34. Lakhotia, S. C. & Anand, A. Excellence in medical research - can we make it in India? Ann. Neurosci. 22, 55–57 (2015).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Chandler, L. C. Attracting international attendees to the West. asae https://www.asaecenter.org/resources/articles/an_magazine/2011/march/attracting-international-attendees-to-the-west (2016).

  36. Executive committee. Endourological Society. http://www.endourology.org/officers (2016).

  37. Governance. Société Internationale d'Urologie. http://www.siu-urology.org/society/siu-governance (2016).

  38. Board of directors. American Urological Society. http://www.auanet.org/about/board-of-directors.cfm (2016).

  39. Editorial Board. British Journal of Urology International. http://www.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1464-410X/homepage/EditorialBoard.html (2016).

  40. Badenhorst, A., Mansoori, P. & Chan, K. Y. Assessing global, regional, national and sub-national capacity for public health research: a bibliometric analysis of the Web of Science in 1996–2010. J. Glob. Health 6, 010504 (2016).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. LUT announces the launch of new nephroscopy set for percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Leben und Technologie http://www.lut-endoscopy.com/en/News/News-4/Show/LUT-Announces-the-Launch-of-New-Nephroscopy-Set-for-Percutaneous-Nephrolithotomy (2013).

  42. Rané, A. et al. Initial clinical evaluation of a new pneumatic intracorporeal lithotripter. BJU Int. 100, 629–632 (2007).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Desai, J. et al. A novel technique of ultra-mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy: introduction and an initial experience for treatment of upper urinary calculi less than 2 cm. Biomed. Res. Int. 2013, 490793 (2013).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. AFP. Seeing the doctor overseas: medical tourism booms in Asia. MailOnline http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-2883301/Seeing-doctor-overseas-medical-tourism-booms-Asia.html (2014).

  45. Venkatt, R. & Shah, H. Why would you leave the West for India? bbc.co.uk http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-19992062 (2012).

    Google Scholar 

  46. Almeida, R. M., Catelani, F., Fontes-Pereira, A. J. & Gave Nde, S. Retractions in general and internal medicine in a high-profile scientific indexing database. Sao Paulo Med. J. 134, 74–78 (2016).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Xie, Y., Zhang, C. & Lai, Q. China's rise as a major contributor to science and technology. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 111, 9437–9442 (2014).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Wada, M. Scientific misconduct: research integrity guidelines in Japan. Nature 514, 35 (2014).

  49. Aggarwal, R., Gogtay, N., Kumar, R. & Sahni, P. Indian Association of Medical Journal Editors. The revised guidelines of the Medical Council of India for academic promotions: need for a rethink. Indian J. Urol. 32, 1–4 (2016).

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rajeev Kumar.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The author declares no competing financial interests.

PowerPoint slides

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Kumar, R. A new era of Asian urology: a SWOT analysis. Nat Rev Urol 13, 685–689 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrurol.2016.153

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrurol.2016.153

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing