{"id":11692,"date":"2025-04-11T05:00:10","date_gmt":"2025-04-11T09:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/urology\/?p=11692"},"modified":"2025-04-07T10:01:44","modified_gmt":"2025-04-07T14:01:44","slug":"dr-matthew-nielsen-leads-national-efforts-to-advance-diagnostic-excellence-in-prostate-cancer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/urology\/dr-matthew-nielsen-leads-national-efforts-to-advance-diagnostic-excellence-in-prostate-cancer\/","title":{"rendered":"Dr. Matthew Nielsen Leads National Efforts to Advance Diagnostic Excellence in Prostate Cancer"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Matthew<\/a><\/div>\n
\"Matthew<\/a><\/div>\n

At the American Urological Association\u2019s Expert Convening on Advancing Diagnostic Excellence in Prostate Cancer \u2013 Prostate MR Image Quality<\/a>, Dr. Matthew Nielsen<\/a>, Chair of the ºÚÁÏÍø Department of Urology, member of the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Chair of the AUA\u2019s Science and Quality Council, delivered a keynote segment titled \u201cAdvancing Diagnostic Excellence in Prostate Cancer.\u201d His presentation built on years of cross-disciplinary leadership and role as a national thought leader in prostate cancer care improvement.<\/p>\n

The summit, held in October 2024, focused on improving the quality and consistency of prostate MRI as a critical diagnostic tool. Dr. Nielsen\u2019s remarks framed the conversation within a broader call for system-level change, centered on patient outcomes, equity, and collaboration across specialties.<\/p>\n

Read the recently published meeting summary and notes<\/a><\/p>\n

A National Voice on Diagnostic Excellence<\/h2>\n

For Dr. Nielsen, the pursuit of diagnostic excellence is not just a clinical issue, it is a defining challenge in modern healthcare. Quoting the Journal of the American Medical Association<\/em>, he emphasized that an accurate and precise diagnosis \u201cgains clinical value insofar as it leads to better choices in treatment.\u201d<\/p>\n

This principle underpins his work as Chair of the AUA\u2019s Science and Quality Council, where he has helped shape the National Urology Quality Agenda<\/a>, prioritizing health equity, imaging stewardship, and the reduction of diagnostic variation. He also serves on the National Quality Forum\u2019s (NQF) Diagnostic Excellence Committee<\/a>, where he contributes to policy development and quality standards across medical specialties.<\/p>\n

In 2023, Dr. Nielsen was named a National Academy of Medicine (NAM) Scholar in Diagnostic Excellence<\/a>, one of only ten physicians selected nationally. His project focuses on integrating quality metrics into diagnostic workflows for patients with elevated PSA, a central theme echoed throughout the AUA summit and his continued work at ºÚÁÏÍø.<\/p>\n

Addressing Prostate Cancer Disparities and the PSA Screening Challenge<\/h2>\n

In his QI Summit talk, Dr. Nielsen emphasized the urgent need to improve care across the entire diagnostic continuum, from PSA screening and MRI to biopsy, surveillance, and treatment.<\/p>\n

Central to his message was addressing racial disparities in prostate cancer diagnosis and outcomes:<\/p>\n