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Question: What are the business principles that have made OrthoCarolina successful over the past several years?
Dr. Robert McBride: We also have a culture that is as focused on quality and customer service as it is on our financial success.
Q: How do you bring together all the different surgeons into one group ethic?
RM: We have strong physician governance. We have a robust committee structure and try to get as many, if not all, our physicians involved in committee work to help govern and navigate our success. Our committees include executive, finance, operations, marketing, productivity, clinical quality (CQC), recruitment and retention, quality improvement and extender.
Q: What is your strategic plan for continued success in the healthcare market in 2012 and beyond?
RM: We are exploring alternative ways of being paid such as bundled payments, ACOs and being paid for value as opposed to volume. We are also continuing to deal with growth as we expand our geographic footprint where it makes strategic sense.
Q: What advice would you give a struggling orthopedic practice about becoming profitable in the new year?
RM: Foremost, of course is to try and figure out why you are struggling. Have you lost market share and if so, why? As an example, you may have an access problem that you might not even be aware of. Consider sitting down with the primary care docs who typically refer to you, and those who used to, and ask them how you are doing and find out if there are any problems getting patients in to see you.
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