Brian Gantwerer, MD, of The Craniospinal Center of Los Angeles, discusses strategies for building a successful minimally invasive spine practice and how it fits in the value-based healthcare.
Q: How can minimally invasive spine surgery help surgeons become successful in the value-based healthcare space?
Dr. Brian Gantwerker: I think it’s naturally geared towards speedier patient recoveries, and thus better outcomes. Minimally invasive spine surgery promotes less blood loss, lower rates of infection, and faster return to quality of life. That has been born out over the years and seen time and again in practice. If not already, spine surgeons should refine these techniques and approaches to make them part of their daily practice.
Q: What are the top factors that allowed you to build a successful spine practice?
BG: I think close patient follow-up, a flexible office, and keeping technology current, but accessible, and not letting it bog down the office flow. It’s been critical to schedule patients efficiently and rapidly, especially if we get a personal call from a physician. The entire patient experience is monitored by me and my staff and we are quick to fix hitches, and avoid bumps in the road. We have learned from listening to patient experiences at other offices and making sure our own office is avoiding those pitfalls on a daily basis.
Q: Where do you see the best opportunities in minimally invasive spine going forward?
BG: It’s a really difficult question. I would be wary of any doctor or healthcare organization that claims to be prescient on this topic. I think the best opportunity is enduring the changes that are coming, and continuing to do a good job and distinguishing yourself from the other organizations out there. Opportunity is available in good and mutually beneficial partnerships and associations with reputable organizations and individuals. And the opportunity to excel, I think, resides in the good results, happy patients and giving time to those who need it.
Learn more from Dr. Brian Gantwerker at the 15th Annual Spine, Orthopedic & Pain Management-Driven ASC Conference + The Future of Spine in June 2017! Click here for more information.