Barrett Woods, MD, a spine surgeon at Rothman Orthopaedics in Philadelphia, said he strives to "improve the quality of life of my patients through conservative care and surgical intervention for those who require it," according to his LinkedIn profile.
Dr. Woods recently joined Becker's to discuss his last year as a spine surgeon and predictions for the future of the field.
Editor's note: Responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Question: What are you most proud of from last year?
Dr. Barrett Woods: What I'm most proud of from the previous year is the growth of the minimally invasive component of my practice. Our team has been able to address more and more complex pathology through minimally invasive approaches that have translated into comparable outcomes as open procedures with lower complication rates and shorter length of stays.
Q: What are the biggest trends you're following in healthcare right now?
BW: The trends I have observed are both positive and negative. There is a continued push to address lumbar issues in the surgical centers. Our surgical techniques and anesthesia protocols have evolved to the point where many patients can be treated in the setting. However, the limitations of the setting cannot be overlooked. From a negative standpoint, insurance companies are making it more challenging for patients to access and receive care. Peer-to-peer evaluations are not actually that in most instances, but typically are a regurgitation of the companies policy. And as we know, there are many patients which fall outside of such stringent guidelines, and ultimately have delays in care.
Q: What are you excited about for 2024?
BW: Despite the increasing challenges we face on a daily basis, I'm still in love with spinal surgery and enjoy going to work every day. I'm excited to continue to take care of patients and constantly evaluate ways to improve every step of the process.