Consolidation has been attractive to many orthopedic practices, but not all are interested in banding together. One orthopedic surgeon told Becker's how private practices can remain strong as an independent unit.
Ask Orthopedic Surgeons is a weekly series of questions posed to surgeons around the country about clinical, business and policy issues affecting orthopedic care. We invite all orthopedic surgeon and specialist responses.
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Please send responses to Carly Behm at cbehm@beckershealthcare.com by 5 p.m. CDT Wednesday, Sept. 28.
Editor's note: Responses were lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: What do private practices need to avoid consolidation?
Anthony Melillo, MD. Bay Oaks Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine (Houston): Private practices need to be adaptable to market changes, offer a more concierge style of care, perform excellent surgeries and be responsive to their patients.
Most hospital-based practices are sterile; corporate and an assembly line. I try to offer my patients a warm, professional and efficient atmosphere.
I am in my latter part of a successful and reputable career and focus on providing patient-specific care in areas that I enjoy doing the most: robotic joint replacements, sports medicine, shoulder and knee arthroscopy. The rest I refer to other talented orthopedic surgeons.