[The importance of digitalisation in urology]

The Internet has shaped and changed society like no other technology. Culturally, the emergence of the Internet is being described as having the same impact on society as the invention of printing. In 2018, more than 4 billion people had access to the Internet. Among all Internet users, approximately 80 % search the Internet for health-related information, with cancer being the most frequently searched condition. Patients rate the Internet as the second most helpful source of information, outranked only by consultation with a medical doctor. There are more than 2.6 billion active social media users. Among urological residents, 97 % use social media on a regular basis. Digitalisation has the potential to strengthen patients' health literacy and optimise patient care, especially in the oncologic field. In summary, digitalisation bears an enormous potential for the field of urology.