Patients are expecting clearer communication from their provider, faster recovery times and more convenient access to care than ever before.
Navigating these newfound expectations is crucial for orthopedic surgeons and practices to continue building out their patient bases.
These five physicians and executives connected with Becker’s regarding the new patient demands in orthopedic care today, along with the strategies they have implemented to keep up.
Ask Orthopedic Surgeons is a weekly series of questions posed to orthopedic surgeons and leaders around the country about clinical, business and policy issues affecting orthopedic care. Becker’s invites all orthopedic surgeons and specialists to respond.
Next question: How are you thinking about succession planning or career longevity in orthopedics today?
Please send responses to Cameron Cortigiano at ccortigiano@beckershealthcare.com by 5 p.m. CST on Jan. 26.
Editor’s note: This response has been lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: How are patient expectations changing, and how are you adapting?
Jennifer Bido, MD. Hip and Knee Replacement Surgeon and Adult Reconstruction Specialist at Endeavor Health Orthopaedic & Spine Institute (Elmhurst, Ill.): As arthroplasty patients trend younger and remain more active, expectations have shifted toward faster recovery and a return to higher-demand activities. This places greater emphasis on clear, upfront discussions during clinic visits to align surgical goals with realistic outcomes and to individualize treatment based on each patient’s priorities. When appropriate, I discuss less invasive options — such as partial knee replacement — that may better support a quicker recovery while still providing durable, reliable results.
Edward DelSole, MD. Orthopedic Spine Surgeon of Keystone Spine & Pain Management Center (Wyomissing, Pa.): Patient expectations in 2026 have shifted dramatically. They want faster communication, clearer treatment plans and deeper understanding of their surgical journey. To meet this demand amid staffing challenges and margin pressures, we’ve implemented AI-driven workflow automation to streamline patient communication.
The results? Mixed. Some patients embrace the instant responses, standardized educational pathways and 24/7 availability. Others still prefer human interaction and resist engaging with AI agents. We’re learning that successful integration isn’t about replacing the human touch, it’s about augmenting it strategically. The optimal balance between automation and personal care remains an evolving experiment.
Ronald Gardner, MD. Founder of Gardner Orthopedics (Fort Myers, Fla.): We have become victims of both our success and marketing. Patients and their families have come to expect faster and better results than are practical. We are more than ever trying to set expectations as realistic as possible without being pessimistic. Underpromising and overdelivering is always a better approach.
Daniel Goldberg. SVP of Sales & Growth of United Musculoskeletal Partners (Atlanta): Patient expectations in musculoskeletal care are increasingly defined by convenience, ease of access and reputation. Patients expect to be seen quickly and often judge practices by how easy they are to engage before ever stepping into a clinic. UMP practices are adapting by investing in the digital front door, online scheduling, real-time availability and proactive communication that shortens time to first visit. Access has become inseparable from reputation, as long wait times and scheduling friction often shape perception as much as the clinical experience itself. MSK practices that prioritize fast, seamless access are building stronger trust, increased retention and sustained growth.
Alan Nguyen, DO. Interventional Pain Management Physician of Gardner Orthopedics (Fort Myers, Fla.): Patient expectations are shifting away from simply “managing” pain with long-term opioid use toward achieving meaningful, durable improvement in function and quality of life. In interventional pain care, patients are more informed about medications’ side effects and increasingly ask about alternatives to chronic opioids. I’ve adapted by emphasizing education, shared decision-making and evidence-based minimally invasive procedures that target pain generators directly. Using image-guided interventions, regenerative and neuromodulatory techniques and comprehensive care plans, we focus on restoring mobility, reducing medication dependence and delivering measurable outcomes rather than temporary symptom suppression.
