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T.S.: Reading your CV, it becomes clear that you have visited several Departments in different countries around the world. Do you believe that urological practice actually differs in different places? Is it beneficial to travel around?
M.R.: Well, for sure at different countries we have different healthcare systems and different ways of doing things, because we have different even resources. So, I think that this is clear. And I think that traveling abroad opens your mind. Because when you are at your own School, you think that you are the best, you are doing these things in this way. But at the moment that you realize that there are perhaps different ways to do the same thing, you learn something new and then you understand that there is not a single opinion, but a lot of opinions. And all of them are respectful. I would say perhaps not all, but the majority of them are respectful. So, I think that traveling abroad is the way of opening your mind. It should be done. I encourage everyone to travel abroad and to learn from different people, because this is the way to understand that there are different ways of doing the same things.
T.S.: You have been an active member in different Committees and Offices of the EAU since many years. Could you please describe us your feelings when you first participated in the EAU?
M.R.: Look, probably this is one of the things that I recall the most, because I started at the EAU directly working at the EAU Guidelines and I can tell you precisely when it was. I was in Paris 2006, at EAU annual meeting, I was giving a lecture on molecular research on bladder cancer since at that time I have already finished my PhD and I was presenting what we were doing on our molecular lab. After I finished my poster presentation, Alfred Witjes and Axel Merseburger came to me and
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they told me: “Look we are looking for people for our muscle invasive bladder cancer Guidelines with some background in molecular research that could give us and improve how we use molecular markers. Could you be interested in joining the muscle invasive bladder cancer guidelines?”. And I thought oh my God: I am willing to!! So, I perfectly remember! This was my start. And from the very beginning I learned that it was an incredible place, because EAU Guidelines are a super big project and it comprises a lot of things. And I have to tell you that I have learned a lot and it has been a marvellous experience. So, I do perfectly remember that day!
T.S.: In your opinion how should the EAU work so as to coordinate urological practice in different European countries?
M.R.: I believe that the European Association of Urology (EAU) should assume the crucial role of facilitating integration and establishing networks across Europe to standardize and harmonize the approach to urological diseases. This responsibility is paramount in order to enhance urological healthcare throughout Europe. As a scientific society, the EAU can effectively coordinate and exert influence at the European level through various means. Primarily, the development of guidelines is essential, as it provides a framework for best practices and ensures consistency in patient care. Additionally, fostering networking opportunities and assuming responsibility for education and training are vital aspects. The EAU possesses the necessary capabilities to promote collaborative research efforts, making it an ideal organization to engage researchers and achieve meaningful outcomes. Furthermore, with the shift towards data collection, the EAU is well- suited to serve as a centralized body for collecting and analyzing data collaboratively. I firmly believe that a scientific society bears significant responsibilities in terms of establishing guidelines, providing training, fostering networks, delivering education, facilitating research collaboration, and actively promoting research endeavors. It is not solely about collaboration, but also about actively advocating and encouraging research within the field.
T.S.: You are the Chair of the EAU Guidelines Office. What are your responsibilities in this position?
M.R.: I'm really thrilled to be serving as the Chair of the EAU Guidelines Office, and I must say, it's quite a challenging role. Professor James N'Dow did an
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