Although recent advancements in surgical techniques and a more preventative approach to medicine now allow orthopedic surgeons to treat patients more effectively than ever, several Mid-South orthopedic surgeons say physicians are struggling to find a balance between seeing patients and complying with government regulations.
Presently, orthopedic surgeons play a large role outside the operating room by taking more preventative measures in treatment, according to Kurre Luber, MD, orthopedic surgeon with Oxford Orthopedics and Sports Medicine.
“Instead of only treating the fracture, we monitor patients and take steps to decrease the chance of it happening again,” Luber said. “For instance, we will review the vitamin D and calcium levels and bone density studies in a female patient who may be more likely to have osteoporosis and suffer a hip fracture.”
But while improvements and advancements have been made, orthopedic surgeons are being challenged to treat patients in a timely manner while complying with government regulations.
“Due to increased involvement of government oversight and regulation resulting in more and more paperwork, orthopedic surgeons are currently facing challenges in seeing patients in a timely fashion as well as taking time away from the doctor-patient experience,” said Lane Line, MD, orthopedic surgeon with Southern Bone and Joint Specialists in Hattiesburg and current president of the Mississippi Orthopaedic Society (MOS).
“Additionally, the challenge of decreasing reimbursement coupled with the government shifting the cost burden of regulation and overhead to the physician in order to be compliant has been especially challenging,” Line added.
In addition, orthopedic surgeons face challenges as practices transition from a fee-for-service scenario to value-based care, according to George Russell, MD, professor and chairman of the department of orthopedic surgery at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
This means physicians will be paid based on the value of care they provide and not by the number of visits and tests they order.
“This volume-to-value transition will expand across medicine and practices must learn how to prepare for it,” Russell said.
Still, orthopedic surgeons are taking a more preventative approach, and not just with their aging patients.
“We do pre-injury treatment with young athletes,” Luber said, “Children and adolescents no longer cross train in sports, but play one sport year round. Their bodies don’t have time to rest and when that happens, they are more prone to injuries. We teach them proper stretches and exercises and stress the importance of rest so their bones and joints stay healthy.”
Luber is the orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist for the University of Mississippi athletic teams. All athletes at the university are screened, so that physicians can initiate preventive treatment immediately.
In addition to a more preventative approach, there have been surgical technique improvements in joint replacement. Procedures such as a total knee replacement, in some cases, can be done on an outpatient basis.
“The field of joint replacement continues to improve as we strive to provide better outcomes and faster recovery for our patients,” said Benjamin Stronach, MD, assistant professor of joint replacement and general orthopedics at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. “We are also able to minimize the inpatient hospital stay with improved pain management techniques and are even providing some joint replacements on an outpatient basis.”
Luber agrees and says that these advancements are advantageous because the patient can go home after surgery and recover at home. In addition, less time spent in the hospital means more cost savings for the patient.
Looking ahead, Line says a future enhancement in orthopedics is telemedicine, which allows a physician to visit with a patient face-to-face remotely for postoperative issues. No longer will a patient have to travel – sometimes at a long distance – to the physician’s office.
“Instead of a patient going to the emergency room and another physician treating the problem, we now can visualize the problem in a safe, cost-efficient fashion,” Line said.
“The meeting will provide a great opportunity for networking with other skilled professionals in orthopedic surgery,” Stronach said. “It offers continuing medical education programs and credits, and briefings on the latest in technological and legislative developments. It also allows for surgeons an opportunity to meet one another and spend time socializing with one another in a relaxed setting outside of their practices.”
RELATED LINKS:
Mississippi Orthopaedic Society
Oxford Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
