Techniques, costs, and provider credentials in biggest U.S. cities vary widely<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
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MONDAY, April 18, 2022 (HealthDay News) — Shockwave therapy (SWT) as restorative treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED), for which no standardized protocol has been developed, is being marketed directly to consumers, according to a study published online April 5 in Urology Practice<\/em>.<\/p>\n James M. Weinberger, M.D., from the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California in Los Angeles, and colleagues evaluated trends in marketing and implementation of SWT as a restorative treatment for ED in the eight largest U.S. metropolitan areas. Clinics were contacted by telephone using a “secret shopper” methodology with the goal of identifying the pricing, duration, and provider administering the treatment.<\/p>\n The researchers identified 152 clinics that offered SWT as a treatment for ED. Just under two-thirds of clinics (65 percent) provided comprehensive information. One-quarter of providers offering SWT were urologists, while 13 percent were not physicians. Per treatment course, the average price was $3,338.28. There was high variability in treatment duration, which ranged from one to indefinite courses based on individual patient circumstance. <\/p>\n “This study highlights concerning trends in major metropolitan markets, given the substantial financial impact for patients and inconsistent credentials among providers,” the authors write.<\/p>\n One author disclosed financial ties to Boston Scientific and Endo.<\/p>\n Abstract\/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)<\/a><\/p>\n <\/i><\/p>\n