Three spine surgeons discuss their goals for the next six months.
Ask Spine Surgeons is a weekly series of questions posed to spine surgeons around the country about clinical, business and policy issues affecting spine care. We invite all spine surgeon and specialist responses.
Next week's question: What are your favorite movies?
Please send responses to Anuja Vaidya at avaidya@beckershealthcare.com by Wednesday, Aug. 3, at 5 p.m. CST.
Question: What are your professional goals for the second half of the year?
Brian R. Gantwerker, MD, The Craniospinal Center of Los Angeles: I would like to do over 50 percent of my cases in a surgery center, where I find the use of my time is more productive, my frustration level decreases and my patient satisfaction goes up. Moving forward, I would also like to do more motion-preservation surgeries and treat more patients, rather than chase levels up and down the spine. My other goal would be to spend time fostering my son's new-found interest in golf!
Isador Lieberman, MD, Director, Scoliosis & Spine Tumor Center, Texas Back Institute, Plano: Be better than I was in the first half of the year.
Barry Ceverha, MD, Medical Director, Operative Program, Center for Spine Health at Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center in Fountain Valley, Calif.: As a neurosurgeon and director of two spine centers, my professional goals would be to continue finding ways to deliver a spine "product" that is cost-effective, efficient and most importantly, delivers medical care that has outstanding outcomes and high patient satisfaction. Attention to perioperative care, effective pain management, short hospital stays and caring follow-up will positively affect patient satisfaction, reduce costs and increase staff satisfaction.