“Reaching across the aisle” is much more than a political or faith-based reference. In medicine, it can mean a multidisciplinary approach to solving a problem. In research methods, specifically, it is critical to have two or more disciplines engaged in understanding and defining the issue[s]. That is the reasoning behind a first ever “shark tank” funding challenge Yale Urology’s chair recently gave the department.
“I think the best comes out in all of us when we work across disciplines and with those whom we don’t typically interact,” said Chair Isaac Y. Kim, MD, PhD, MBA.
Specifically, he asked faculty to think out of the box and determine a patient pain point they could potentially alleviate or at least learn more about.
Eight faculty members took the bait, forming four separate pilot proposals. Each one stems from a desire to see more data on a urology topic where little is known or formally documented.
“I want to invite you to help our patients HIIT [high intensity interval training] back against prostate cancer,” began Michael Leapman, MD, MHS, part of the urology oncology division, who was the first up before a panel of “judges” [fellow faculty]. He and co-investigator, Jiyeon Kim, PhD, in the basic science section of the department, hope to determine whether a specific exercise regimen will help patients with surgical recovery.
Next up was a proposal to offer additional nutrition supplementation to bladder cancer patients undergoing a radical cystectomy. Mary Grey Maher, MD, from the lower urinary tract dysfunction and reconstruction division, and David Hesse, MD, in oncology, explained this would be above and beyond the standard ERAS [enhanced recovery after surgery] protocol.
“Shark” judges then heard a pilot pitch that would build upon current collaboration already happening in the department’s eastern region, between sexual health, oncology, and physical therapy. Katherine Rotker, MD, and Joseph Renzulli, MD, asked for funds to provide eligible prostate cancer patients with pre-surgical pelvic floor physical therapy and other needed tools to try to improve sexual function following a radical prostatectomy.
The final presentation centered on the controversial topic of whether biopsies actually cause cancer spread. Darryl Martin, PhD, in the department’s basic science section, and Ralph Devito, MD, clinical urology division chief, paired up to propose the start of a long-term study that could determine the prevalence of needle tract circulating tumor cells [CTCs] after a prostate biopsy.
Following careful review, the judges and Chair Kim decided to fund all four pilots at $25K each.
I don’t want lack of finances to be an obstacle for testing a great idea.
Chair Isaac Y. Kim, MD, PhD, MBA
“I don’t want lack of finances to be an obstacle for testing a great idea,” Kim said following the decision. “I only hope next year there’s even more healthy competition.” He promises to make this an annual event.
The funds will come from clinic revenue, which Chair Kim says speaks volumes about what is important to the department. “Innovation, research, and helping our patients. Those are our top priorities.”