Why do you need to visit in-person for a urology or radiology consult?
Do you really need to shake the surgeons hand?
Since prostate cancer doctor consultations rarely involve a physical exam by the actual doctor, would you object to "meeting" with your urologist or radiologist by SKYPE or something like SKYPE?
(blood tests could be done by the local clinic, so you save massive amounts of time and may actually "see" your doctor sooner rather than later.) What do you think?
Completely agree, in fact all major business operates like this today. Your charts and scans can be sent directly to any new doctor your going to see and they form an opinion long before you get there on what they will offer. Not all of us live close to major treatment centers with specialists and the cost of travel and lodging is an added stress when it doesn't have to be. With Skype and the technology today there is absolutely no reason this isn't happening now. Most surgeons know what they can or cannot do up front by reading your scans and knowing your diagnosis. Even a call to your local oncologist for any further information can save you and your insurance thousands. Sometimes it does seem better to actually sit down and discuss options but it is often not needed to the extent of it draining your bank account. If a surgeon is willing to offer you something worth talking about, then see him. If he cant, don't add to the cash cow cancer unfortunately is.
Dayatatime
Good idea for some; should come after long period of face to face contacts.
wellll, it would depend on the design of your smart phone 
since my urologist almost always does a DRE during the visit and urine is tested. (that's every 3 mo, after many years since my seeds/xbrt failed. Oncologist does blood work every 6 months and does check lymph nodes. If it's purely a Q/A then I guess.
herb
The day after my DaVinci surgery I talked to the surgeon on a nurses iPhone from my hospital bed. Seemed tacky but we covered the critical issues.
As long as the doctor doesn't charge as much for the video visit as a regular office consultation. Of course insurance would have to cover the video visit. Would be good for a second opinion.
I think the problem is that most [if not all] insurance will not pay the doctor for phone visits.
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Upcoming appt. with urologist
Looking for a good Urologist at UCLA or in Los Angeles Area
Guy Has a BCR after RP and Urologist Says
