Scott Sigman, MD, chief medical officer of Rochester, N.Y.-based OrthoLazer Orthopedic Laser Centers, is concerned about surgeons' future abilities in independent practices. He spoke on the "Becker's Spine and Orthopedic Podcast" about that concern, along with what he's excited about in orthopedics.
This is an excerpt. Listen to the full podcast here.
Question: What are you most excited about today, and what makes you nervous?
Dr. Scott Sigman: So, I think as the original opioid-sparing orthopedic surgeon, I have to say [I'm excited by] anything that is proving the fact that opioid stewardship is working. So evidence-based medicine shows that we can safely and effectively operate on patients with good paying control by reducing the need for opioids perioperatively is what I'm really excited about.
The thing that makes me the most nervous, is "Am I going to be able to continue to independently practice medicine in the way in which I've been trained?"
Q: What do you mean by "In the way that you've been trained?"
SS: Well, I take a lot of time and energy to be trained through our residencies and fellowships, and then there's continuing medical education, and we're always honing our skill set to be better and do as well as we can for the care of our patients. The question is, "Is Big Brother going to be around pushing us and telling us what we can use and what we can't use?"
So, I want to try and maintain my independence. If that means circling the wagons with other medical groups or other orthopedic groups that are similar-minded as me, that's something that I would be very passionate about. I want to make sure that as a clinician, as a physician, that has a responsibility and respect from my patients, that I am providing the best possible care and being able to make those decisions.