Paul H. Chung1, Jin Ye Yeo2
1Department of Urology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA; 2TAU Editorial Office, AME Publishing Company
Correspondence to: Jin Ye Yeo. TAU Editorial Office, AME Publishing Company. Email: tau@amepc.org
Expert introduction
Dr. Paul H. Chung (Figure 1) is an Assistant Professor and Director of Reconstructive Urology at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA. He graduated with a BS in electrical engineering from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. He obtained his medical degree at Thomas Jefferson University and subsequently completed general surgery and urology residency training at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. He completed a research fellowship at the Urologic Oncology Branch of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD and a clinical fellowship in urologic trauma, reconstruction, and prosthetics at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, Washington.
Dr. Chung has an active clinical practice in urethral stricture disease, erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, prosthetic surgery, Peyronie’s disease, open and robotic urinary tract reconstruction, extramammary Paget’s disease, buried penis repair, and genitourinary trauma. He is a member of the American Urologic Association, Society of Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgeons, Société Internationale d'Urologie, Sexual Medicine Society of North America, Society of Urologic Prosthetic Surgeons, and American College of Surgeons.
Figure 1 Dr. Paul H. Chung
Interview
TAU: What motivated you to pursue reconstructive urology after your bachelor's in electrical engineering?
Dr. Chung: I studied electrical engineering because I love working with my hands and enjoy the overall process of creating and refining. As a reconstructive urologist, I now apply these skills to help improve the lives of my patients each and every day. Urologists are known as early adopters of medical technology. In my practice I utilize the most up to date prosthetic implants to improve the erectile and urinary function of my patients.
TAU: Could you provide an overview of the current landscape of men's health? Are there any alarming trends that we should know about?
Dr. Chung: Men’s health research is heading in a positive direction; however, educating men and the public on men’s health issues remains a challenge as these issues are not frequently discussed, and may even appear taboo.
TAU: In your opinion, what are some significant research gaps in the field of men's health? Moving forward, what do you think should be the direction of research to bridge these gaps?
Dr. Chung: Men’s health overall within the LGBTQ+ remains understudied. Women’s sexual health also remains understudied and plays a direct role with their male counterparts. In addition, improved medical and surgical decision-making materials are needed to help educate patients and their partners and to facilitate selecting the best treatment option(s).
TAU: In your practice of reconstructive urology, you use a variety of the most advanced equipment and procedures to achieve optimal outcomes for your patients. Could you share what are some of the more recent equipment and procedures you have included in your practice? How have these advancements impacted your practice and/or improved patient outcomes?
Dr. Chung: A recently introduced product is the paclitaxel-coated dilating balloon for the treatment of urethral strictures. This product provides patients who are interested in an endoscopic treatment for their stricture to potentially have a more durable response compared to previously existing treatment options. In addition, although the inflatable penile implant was introduced 50 years ago, and has undergone multiple improvements over time, the first revision in nearly 20 years was recently approved by the FDA (Tenacio pump from Boston Scientific), which has been designed to ease the inflation deflation process for patients.
TAU: To achieve optimal wellness for your patients, what are some aspects that you focus on? How do you ensure that these aspects are met?
Dr. Chung: As a reconstructive urologist, I perform quality of life surgery for my patients. It is important that I understand what the goals of the patient are and what they deem as a surgical success. This is important because what I consider to be a successful surgery may not be the same as what the patient thinks. I also make a sincere effort to educate my patients as thoroughly as possible, using language that they can understand. I strongly believe that the more they know and understand about their condition, the more it will help them to make the best educated decision and allow them to best deal with any potential negative outcomes.
TAU: In addition to providing patient care, you are also an active member of multiple professional organizations. How has your involvement in these organizations helped you in your practice and vice versa?
Dr. Chung: It is important that medical providers and researchers continue to develop and evolve. What we learned in our training may be less relevant over time. Participating actively in medical organizations helps me to extend my professional network, become educated on the most recent research, and provide an opportunity to present my own research work as well.
TAU: How has your experience been as an Editorial Board Member of TAU?
Dr. Chung: Being a member of the editorial board of TAU has been both an educational and professional opportunity for me. I now better understand the inner workings of a medical journal and also have had the opportunity to propose and publish special issues in collaboration with the editorial team.
TAU: As an Editorial Board Member of TAU, what are your expectations for TAU?
Dr. Chung: My expectations of TAU is to continue to publish high-quality, educational material that contributes to and augments the existing medical literature. I also expect TAU to function and communicate efficiently with content providers, providing contributors a positive experience, which will encourage them to contribute again in the future.