Spine and neurosurgeons across the U.S. are facing very different realities than they were a year ago due to the pandemic.
Here are key thoughts from four spine surgeons about how they're thinking about their practice going forward.
Q: How would a second shut down in your state affect your practice?
Khawar Siddique, MD.DOCS Spine + Orthopedics (Los Angeles): It seems a second shutdown is only a matter of time. Even though we're an essential business, many procedures end up being deferred until the government gives us approval. Elective surgeries are the lifeline for any surgical practice. Not just from a payment perspective, but from a momentum standpoint. We gain momentum by word-of-mouth and when we're shut down, in any capacity, that organic word-of-mouth-marketing decreases significantly. It's almost like starting a new practice each time we re-open.
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Q: What percentage of patient volume is your practice currently operating at? What was the key to your ramp-up strategy?
James Chappuis, MD. SpineCenterAtlanta: We are currently operating at 75 percent to 80 percent capacity in most departments. Our physical therapy department may see lower numbers, due to the closeness of the personal space required for those types of appointments. The key for us as a practice has been the flexibility with patient schedules.
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Q: What strategies is your practice implementing to improve its financial standing?
Mark Tantorski, DO. Premier Orthopaedics (West Chester, Pa.): As with most businesses, our company was not immune to the negative financial impact of the pandemic. A small number of staff were furloughed and some had hours decreased, but we are currently back to full complement. As we trend toward normalcy, we have continued to implement safety strategies that, combined with rigorous screening and disinfecting protocols, have allowed us to significantly increase the numbers of individuals we see in the office while providing the patient a sense of security. We have received positive feedback from patients regarding these measures.
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Q: Where do you see the biggest opportunities for spine surgeons on the current landscape?
James Lynch, MD. SpineNevada (Reno): We have to prepare for the future now. I think building a musculoskeletal differentiated practice with the whole spectrum of patient care is important. I think the isolated silos of practice — whether it's surgery, pain management or PM&R — working individually is going to change, except if you're in remote areas. There's a rapid transformation occurring. That may not be in months, but certainly over the next three to five years. I think focusing on partnerships or investments in an ASC platform is a natural transition for this. Currently, about 10 percent to 15 percent of spine cases are being done in an ASC platform, which is far too low. Some projections have this at 35 percent to 40 percent over the next few years.
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