Paul Kosmatka, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon at Essentia Health in Duluth, Minn. He recently spoke with Becker’s about the benefits and disadvantages of private equity in orthopedics.
Editor’s note: This response was lightly edited for clarity and length.
Q: What are the pros and cons of private equity in the spine and/or orthopedic industries?
Dr. Paul Kosmatka: The potential pro of private equity in the orthopedic industry is the infusion of capital for expansion or purchase of necessary equipment, e.g., MRI [machines], EHRs or surgery centers. The cons are loss of autonomy, potential lack of focus on quality and having one more entity making money from the hard work of orthopedic surgery.
