Orthopedic surgeons make thousands of decisions every year. But which was the smartest move of 2023?
Four orthopedic surgeons connected with Becker's to answer, "What was the smartest move you made in 2023?"
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.
Next question: How would you like the orthopedic industry to evolve in 2024?
Please send responses to Riz Hatton at rhatton@beckershealthcare.com by 12 p.m. CST Thursday, Dec. 21.
Note: These responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
James Chen, MD. Orthopedic Surgeon at DISC Sports & Spine Center (Newport Beach): In 2023, I have furthered my hip and knee replacement techniques with a personalized patient approach using advanced technology to assess preoperative needs and real-time information to execute individualized plans. Virtual care assistants, automation, remote monitoring and surgical robotic and navigation tools have not only increased my efficiency but have helped improve the quality and satisfaction I can deliver my patients.
Sohaib Hashmi, MD. Orthopedic Surgeons at UCI Health (Orange, Calif.): The smartest move I made in 2023 was to support the establishment of a combined orthopedic neurosurgical university spine center. The UCI Health Comprehensive Spine Center provides significant advantages and benefits provided to patients:
1. Evidenced–based comprehensive care: This provides access to a variety of fellowship-trained specialists to ensure thorough examinations and state-of-the-art treatment plans.
2. Efficient diagnosis: Collaboration among experts leads to quicker and more accurate diagnoses, reducing the time to initiate appropriate treatment, especially for patients requiring complex spinal reconstruction and revision surgeries.
3. Personalized treatment: Tailored treatment plans based on a multidisciplinary approach address individual needs, optimizing the effectiveness of care. Weekly combined orthopedic, neurosurgical and neuroradiology case conferences allow for the highest level of care.
4. Convenience: Having various specialists in one location enhances convenience for patients, minimizing the need for multiple appointments at different locations and medical information sharing in real time under one electronic medical record.
5. Holistic approach: A focus on overall well-being considers not just the physical aspect, but also incorporates rehabilitation, pain management and other factors crucial for a patient's recovery. University integrative medicine service allows eastern medicine approaches to acupuncture, tai chi and meditation in the care of spine patients.
6. Better outcomes: Coordinated care and continuous communication among specialists contribute to improved patient outcomes and satisfaction.
Hafiz Kassam, MD. Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon at Hoag Orthopedic Institute (Irvine, Calif.): The smartest decision I made in 2023 was re-embracing "old school" methods of practice development. Recognizing the enduring value of face-to-face interactions and personal relationships, I prioritized interacting with community leaders and medical professionals. We developed an interactive and innovative shoulder meeting, "OC Shoulder," that focused on round table discussion to debate the hot topics we as surgeons deal with daily. This hands-on educational opportunity not only fostered a direct platform for sharing expertise but also established a unique opportunity for networking within the shoulder surgeon community. We advertised these opportunities heavily on modern social media platforms.
By combining traditional relationships strategies with a modern twist, we were able to tap into a dynamic approach that resonated with peers and provided practice development opportunities for everyone involved. The returns have been substantial, and we have started a robust professional network, reinforcing the enduring importance of personal connections in surgical practice.
Philip Louie, MD. Spine Surgeon at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (Tacoma, Wash.): Empowering our spine advanced practice providers team. We are an academic hospital with a fellowship program. While other surgical services in our hospital utilize residents, our spine service does not have any resident coverage and instead relies upon this 10-member advanced practice provider team. We have encouraged our advanced practice providers to develop unique roles outside of the traditional tasks. For example, we have advanced practice providers that:
1. Lead large research studies
2. Lead large multidisciplinary conferences
3. Serve in organizational and national leadership positions early in their career
4. Create plans to grow their own surgical skills while working with trainees
5. And also engage nurse practitioners that have obtained additional formal training to serve as first assists in the operating room and mentor others looking to travel this less common road.
These are just some of the unique advanced practice provider roles that we have encouraged and fostered throughout the year; focused on areas that prevent burnout and engage them in other less traditional patient care areas. While each of these APPs brings their own unique experience to the job, together they foster fierce engagement, collegiality and rare loyalty.