Course Overview

This comprehensive asynchronous course is designed to equip interventional radiologists with the clinical, technical, and strategic competencies needed to establish and grow a men’s health practice focused on two key procedures: Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE) and Varicocele Embolization. Developed to address critical gaps in training and practice, this program offers a deep dive into procedural techniques, patient selection, referral building, and reimbursement strategies—areas often underrepresented in traditional IR education.

Why This Course Matters

• Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE) emerged around 2010, leaving many mid- and late-career IRs without formal fellowship training. This course bridges that gap by covering not only technical execution but also clinical evaluation, patient selection, and practice development—especially within the Office-Based Lab (OBL) setting, which remains largely unaddressed in current training programs.
• Varicocele Embolization, despite its 30-year track record of safety and efficacy in treating testicular pain and male infertility, remains underutilized. The course addresses the lack of exposure and training in residency programs, offering practical guidance on evaluation, technique, referral generation, and reimbursement.

Learning Objectives

This course is structured around three tiers of educational need:

Knowledge

• Understand pelvic vascular anatomy relevant to PAE and varicocele embolization
• Learn procedural techniques and imaging guidance
• Explore referral dynamics, marketing strategies, and insurance workflows

Competence

• Gain hands-on confidence in performing both procedures
• Build collaborative relationships with referring clinicians
• Navigate coding, billing, and insurance authorization processes

Performance

• Execute PAE and varicocele embolization with precision
• Expand practice reach through strategic referral and marketing
• Secure reimbursement and optimize patient access

Practice-Based Gaps Addressed

• Limited exposure to PAE and varicocele cases during training
• Lack of formal instruction in patient selection and clinical evaluation
• Minimal guidance on building a sustainable men’s health IR practice
• Insufficient education on OBL operations and reimbursement pathways

Outcomes & Impact

Upon completion, learners will be able to:

• Confidently perform PAE and varicocele embolization
• Identify ideal candidates and manage complications
• Communicate effectively with urologists and other referring providers
• Build and market a thriving men’s health IR practice
• Navigate insurance authorization and reimbursement with clarity

This course also aims to foster a mentorship network of IR physicians committed to advancing men’s health through shared expertise and peer support.