Ep. 284 Integrating Gender Affirming Care Into Urology with Dr. Eric Walton

Gender affirming surgery is becoming a more visible part of urologic practice, raising practical questions about surgical training, case volume, and multidisciplinary support. In this episode of BackTable Urology, Dr. Eric Walton of The Ohio State University joins Dr. George Koch to examine how gender affirming surgery is being integrated into contemporary urology. Dr. Walton discusses his path into reconstructive urology, structural barriers that limit patient access, and why expanding surgical training pathways is central to closing gaps in care.

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SYNPOSIS

The conversation explores fellowship models, academic versus private practice settings, and the role of multidisciplinary teams in supporting surgical programs. Practical considerations around patient screening, care coordination, and insurance are addressed, reframing gender affirming surgery as a core component of modern urologic care rather than a subspecialty outlier.

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Introduction
00:52 - Journey to Gender Affirming Surgery
03:29 - Specialized Training in Gender Surgery
09:34 - Building a Gender Surgery Program
27:54 - Providing Competent and Affirming Care
32:54 - Future of Gender Affirming Surgery in Urology
39:58 - Final Thoughts and Advice

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RESOURCES

World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Standards of Care:
https://wpath.org/publications/soc8/