Five spine surgeons share their thoughts on the ways in which private practices can thrive in the current healthcare landscape.
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 some common misconceptions patients have about spine surgery and how do you correct those assumptions?
Please send responses to Anuja Vaidya at avaidya@beckershealthcare.com by Wednesday, June 14, at 5 p.m. CST.
Question: What are some opportunities for maintaining a private spine practice?
Brian R. Gantwerker, MD. Founder of the Craniospinal Center of Los Angeles: Pressure to consolidate is palpable right now. Keeping your referring doctors close is key. Joining forces with other independent surgeons to control cost and share overhead is always a good idea. But, it is most important to keep your skill-set growing and refining. Carve out a niche, keep your reputation clean and don't compromise on doing what's right and what's indicated.
J. Brian Gill, MD. Spine Surgeon at Nebraska Spine Hospital (Omaha): Private practices are becoming few and far between. These practices need to diversify themselves and look at partnering with various local health systems creating joint ventures so that these practices are not replaced, but are a solution to local healthcare needs.
Kern Singh, MD. Co-Director of Minimally Invasive Spine Institute at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush (Chicago): Maintaining a private practice is difficult, but rewarding work. For those looking into private practice, carefully selecting partners whom you work well with is extremely important. You must not only select a practice that strives to provide the best clinical care, but also has a detailed business and marketing plan in place.
Alden Milam, MD. Spine Surgeon at OrthoCarolina (Charlotte, N.C.): Introduce ancillary revenue streams as downward pressure on provider reimbursement continues. These ancillary services provide better continuum of care for patients as they occur under the direct supervision of the provider with ease of communication and access when problems arise.
Edward Rustamzadeh, MD, PhD. Spine Surgeon at Premier Brain and Spine Institute (San Jose, Calif.): Having made the decision to go from an academic practice to a private practice in the day and age of running for shelter under the umbrella of a hospital, university or a foundation, I can honestly say that being able to provide cutting edge surgical techniques and being able to deal with a vast range of spinal issues has allowed me to not only to survive but also to thrive.
Patients are increasingly becoming more educated about the healthcare system and their own condition. With social media and the internet, people are researching their doctors and choosing the one that is the best fit for them and their condition. The ivory tower model does not work for the current generation, and it will definitely not work for future millennium generations who have been brought up questioning everything and everyone.