Hello crystal4290,
There are between 7,000 and 8,000 practicing urologists in the United
States and 10% of these practices have a major focus on erectile
dysfunction. Primary care specialties treat erectile dysfunction and
now account for more than 75% of the prescriptions written for Viagra.
In an article in Urology Times: Renew your interest in ED or lose it
to other specialists, the author writes:
"Primary care specialties now account for more than 75% of the
prescriptions written for sildenafil citrate (Viagra), and this
percentage increases almost monthly. The number of prescriptions
written by urologists has remained stable, and as the erectile
dysfunction market increases, urology's percentage of the whole
continues to decline.
(..)
"The number of practicing urologists in the United States is now
between 7,000 and 8,000, down from 10,000 a few years ago. With fewer
urologists and more patients needing our services, urgent diseases
such as cancer, renal stones, prostate obstruction, and urinary
incontinence are occupying our time."
Where does erectile dysfunction fit on the list of priorities? Close
to the bottom in most practices.
"A survey in 1996 showed that 19% of urology practices had a major
focus on erectile dysfunction. The same survey conducted 5 years later
showed that this number had declined to 10%, yet urologists have the
most comprehensive knowledge of ED and the ability to administer all
available treatment modalities, including penile implants.?
Urology Times
http://www.urologytimes.com/urologytimes/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=34455
Many family doctors now routinely treat erectile dysfunction ED. They
refer patients to Urologists, Psychologists, Psychiatrists and
Endocrinologists.
?Usually, your family doctor is the first health care professional to
see about erectile dysfunction. Many family doctors now routinely
treat ED. Depending on your unique situation, your primary care doctor
may refer you to a urologist or to another specialist.?
The following specialists may play a role in the diagnosis and
treatment of Erectile Dysfunction:
Urologists
?These specialists treat diseases of the genitals and urinary tract.
They are the doctors who most commonly treat ED, especially those that
have suspected physical causes. Urologists can provide routine
evaluation and treatment of ED and perform special tests to evaluate
the nerves, arteries and veins that control the erection process. They
also prescribe medications and perform surgery to correct erection
problems.?
Not all urologists treat ED but most do. It is important to find a
urologist who does treat this problem or one who specializes in this
area.
Psychologists and psychiatrists
?These specialists treat psychological causes of ED, such as
depression, anxiety, and relationship problems.?
Endocrinologists
?An endocrinologist may be an appropriate choice if your ED is due to
testosterone deficiency, a thyroid disorder, or another hormonal
problem.?
Impotence.org : American Foundation for Urologic Disease
http://www.impotence.org/diagnosis/index.asp
Sildenafil in the Treatment of Patients with Erectile Dysfunction
?Sildenafil has been demonstrated to be effective across all the
different etiologies of ED. Indeed, patients with diabetes, whether
Type 1, Type 2, complicated or uncomplicated, have significant
responses to sildenafil, compared with placebo. Patients who have
undergone radical prostatectomy, especially nerve-sparing procedures,
ischemic heart disease, treated and untreated hypertension, peripheral
vascular disease, and depression, all respond well to sildenafil.?
The distribution of those physicians who prescribe in the US is as follows:
65.7% family practice
12.1% urologists
2.5% cardiologists
2.5% psychiatrists
Source:
Report by Dr Culley C Carson
Rhodes Distinguished Professor and Chief of the Division of Urology,
University of North Carolina School of Medicine
http://www.bbriefings.com/pdf/790/carson.pdf
Which Doctors Treat ED?
?Doctors most qualified to treat ED are those who regularly diagnose
and treat the condition and who stay up-to-date on the latest ED
research and treatments. As a group, urologists are the most
knowledgeable about ED. Many psychiatrists and psychologists also
treat the condition. The Erectile Dysfunction Institute?
American Foundation for Urologic Disease
http://www.afud.org/education/sexualfunction/impotence.asp
?A man experiencing erectile dysfunction should seek medical
attention. He should locate a Clinic or physician that specializes in
impotence diagnosis and treatment. This is a highly specialized area
unfamiliar, except superficially, to most physicians.?
http://216.239.39.104/search?q=cache:Ft-8zmtnekwJ:www.msdclinic.com/treatment_of_impotence.htm+specializes+in+impotence+treatments&hl=en
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Psychologists
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There are more than 150,000 members of the American Psychological Association.
?American Psychological Association (APA) is a scientific and
professional organization that represents psychology in the United
States. With more than 150,000 members, APA is the largest association
of psychologists worldwide.?
http://www.apa.org/about/
?Psychologists held about 139,000 jobs in 2002. Educational
institutions employed about 3 out of 10 salaried psychologists in
positions other than teaching, such as counseling, testing, research,
and administration. Three out of 10 were employed in health care,
primarily in offices of mental health practitioners and in outpatient
care facilities, private hospitals, nursing and residential care
facilities, and individual and family service organizations.
Government agencies at the State and local levels employed 1 in 10
psychologists, primarily in public hospitals, clinics, correctional
facilities, and other settings. Some psychologists work in, research
organizations, management consulting firms, marketing research firms,
religious organizations, and other businesses.
After several years of experience, some psychologists?usually those
with doctoral degrees?enter private practice or set up private
research or consulting firms. More than 1 out of 4 psychologists were
self-employed.?
BLS
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos056.htm
-------------
Psychiatrists
-------------
American Medical Association statistics show there are 38,900
psychiatrists in the United States, but only 29,570 are actively
working in a practice setting.
http://dallas.bizjournals.com/dallas/stories/2002/09/16/story1.html
The following fee based publication may contain relevant information.
Selected Characteristics and Data of Psychiatrists in the United
States, 2001?2002 Scully and Wilk Acad. Psychiatry.2003; 27: 247-251.
You may access this article (from the computer you are currently
using) for 24 hours for US$15.00.
http://ap.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/reprint/27/4/247.pdf
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Endocrinologists
----------------
7,000 to 8,000 endocrinologists in the United States
4,000 to 4,500 of them are clinical endocrinologists
http://www.mendosa.com/endos.htm
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGISTS
?Its membership consists of more than 4,300 clinical endocrinologists
devoted to providing care for patients with endocrine disorders.?
http://www.aace.com/pub/press/releases/
Medical guidelines for clinical practice for the evaluation and
treatment of male sexual dysfunction:
Role Of The Endocrinologist In Treating Male Sexual Dysfunction:
"The endocrinologist is ideally positioned to identify and evaluate
the full range of medical, physical, and psychiatric problems
responsible for disrupting an individual man?s sexual function. With
the full diagnostic array outlined, the endocrinologist can offer a
rational and comprehensive treatment tailored to each man?s needs and
can maximize opportunities to restore normal sexual function.?
American Association Of Clinical Endocrinologists
http://www.aace.com/clin/guidelines/sexdysguid.pdf
To summarize, an estimated 700 to 800 urologists specialize in
treating erectile dysfunction. Primary care specialties treat ED as
well accounting for 75% of the precriptions FOR Viagra. Pyschologists
and Psychiatrists treat the causes of erectile dysfunction such as
anxiety, depression and relationship problems however I could not
locate a breakdown for the number of specialists that treat these
symptoms specifically for ED. Endocrinologists also treat ED if the
problem is due to testosterone deficiency, a thyroid disorder, or
another hormonal problem.
Search criteria:
Specialists OR doctors OR physicians OR urologists erectile dysfunction in the U.S.
Physician statistics
Urologists ED OR erectile dysfunction
Endocrinologists ED OR erectile dysfunction
Psychologists ED OR erectile dysfunction
Psychiatrists ED OR erectile dysfunction
I hope you find this information useful!
Best regards,
Bobbie7 |
