Ask Orthopedic Surgeons is a weekly series of questions posed to surgeons around the country about clinical, business and policy issues affecting orthopedic care. We invite all orthopedic surgeon and specialist responses.
Next question: How will joint replacement robots develop in the next five to 10 years?
Please send responses to Carly Behm at cbehm@beckershealthcare.com by 5 p.m. CDT Wednesday, Sept. 28.
Editor’s note: Responses were lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: What do private practices need to avoid consolidation?
Anthony Melillo, MD. Bay Oaks Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine (Houston): Private practices need to be adaptable to market changes, offer a more concierge style of care, perform excellent surgeries and be responsive to their patients.
Most hospital-based practices are sterile; corporate and an assembly line. I try to offer my patients a warm, professional and efficient atmosphere.
I am in my latter part of a successful and reputable career and focus on providing patient-specific care in areas that I enjoy doing the most: robotic joint replacements, sports medicine, shoulder and knee arthroscopy. The rest I refer to other talented orthopedic surgeons.
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