Objectives: ChatGPT is a large language model that is able to generate human-like text. The aim of this study was to evaluate ChatGPT as a potential supplement to urological clinical practice by exploring its capacity, efficacy and accuracy when delivering information on frequently asked questions from patients with bladder cancer. Methods: We proposed 10 hypothetical questions to ChatGPT to simulate a doctor–patient consultation for patients recently diagnosed with bladder cancer. The responses were then assessed using two predefined scales of accuracy and completeness by Specialist Urologists. Results: ChatGPT provided coherent answers that were concise and easily comprehensible. Overall, mean accuracy scores for the 10 questions ranged from 3.7 to 6.0, with a median of 5.0. Mean completeness scores ranged from 1.3 to 2.3, with a median of 1.8. ChatGPT was also cognizant of its own limitations and recommended all patients should adhere closely to medical advice dispensed by their healthcare provider. Conclusions: This study provides further insight into the role of ChatGPT as an adjunct consultation tool for answering frequently asked questions from patients with bladder cancer diagnosis. Whilst it was able to provide information in a concise and coherent manner, there were concerns regarding the completeness of information conveyed. Further development and research into this rapidly evolving tool are required to ascertain the potential impacts of AI models such as ChatGPT in urology and the broader healthcare landscape.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are highly prevalent and have significant implications for patients. As internet-based health information becomes more relied upon, ChatGPT has emerged as a potential source of healthcare advice. In this study, ChatGPT-3.5 was subjected to 16 patient-like UTI queries, with its responses evaluated by a panel of urologists. ChatGPT can address general UTI questions and exhibits some reasoning capacity in specific contexts. Nevertheless, it lacks source verification, occasionally overlooks vital information, and struggles with contextual clinical advice. ChatGPT holds promise as a supplementary tool in the urologist’s toolkit, demanding further refinement and validation for optimal integration.

Self-inserted urethral foreign bodies are an unusual albeit well documented phenomena and cause of hospital presentation. When conservative non-operative managements fail, operative management is imperative to prevent further complications including infection, stones, diverticula, and fistula formation. Minimally invasive alternatives should be considered when cystoscopic access to the foreign body is mechanically difficult. Through this case presentation, we showcase a novel technique to consider when dealing with intraurethral foreign bodies - the use of thulium laser with rigid ureteroscope. We believe this to be the first documented case of successful intraurethral foreign body fragmentation using thulium laser.

Post-operative ureteric stents are commonly utilised after endoscopic intervention for urolithiasis to maintain ureteric patency due to the risks of post-operative ureteric obstruction from stone fragments, oedema or trauma from instrumentation. Unintended premature dislodgement and need for cystoscopic removal pose significant clinical and economic burden to the health care system. Alternative stents such as magnetic stents and stents on extraction strings (SOES) aim to reduce the need for removal under cystoscopy. There is a paucity of data in comparing these alternative stents directly to help guide which stent is more suitable for usage in post-ureteroscopy patients with urolithiasis. MAG-EX is a prospective, multicentre, randomised clinical trial conducted in two tertiary centres in Sydney, Australia. A total of 276 participants (138 per group) will be enrolled to detect an 8% difference in complication rates with 80% power and a significance level of 0.05. Adult patients undergoing ureteroscopy for unilateral stone disease will be randomised to receive either SOES or magnetic stents. The primary outcome is the rate of premature stent removal or requirement for cystoscopic removal within one week. Secondary outcomes include patient-reported measures such as Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire (USSQ), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs), as well as patient satisfaction and cost analysis. Follow-up will occur at stent removal and at 30 days post-insertion. Data will be collected using Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) and analysed in a blinded manner. This trial aims to determine if magnetic stents or SOES are more reliable in preventing premature stent removal and removal requiring cystoscopy. The MAG-EX trial will measure and compare the rates of premature ureteric stent removal and removal of ureteric stents under cystoscopy between stents on extraction string and magnetic stents. A comparison of costs and patient reported outcomes between the two types of stents will be used to inform clinicians, patients and health care providers. This will establish which alternative ureteric stent is more suitable for usage in post-ureteroscopy patients with urolithiasis. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12624000215527.

Management of gender dysphoria and healthcare for transgender and non-binary patients is a growing field in Australia and abroad. Currently, gender-affirming surgery is not offered under Australia's national public health insurance.