Being more selective in terms of case load and the explosion of AI are just two ways that orthopedic surgeons are operating differently than years past.
These two physicians connected with Becker’s about what they are doing this year that they would not have been even thinking about three years ago.
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 your technology investments heading into the second half of the year — what’s worth the spend, and what isn’t?
Please send responses to Cameron Cortigiano at ccortigiano@beckershealthcare.com by 5 p.m. Central time on April 13.
Editor’s note: This response has been lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: What’s one thing you’re doing differently in 2026 that you wouldn’t have considered three years ago?
Nitin Bhatia, MD. Orthopedic Surgeon at UCI Health (Orange, Calif.): Numerous changes have occurred in our practice over the past three years. One element that has changed is the integration of AI. As an orthopedic spine surgeon, we use AI in multiple aspects of care. This utilization includes AI-based scribes, which are integrated in a HIPAA-compliant fashion into electronic medical record systems. This scribing process is much better than what was available three years ago and continues to improve literally monthly. We also use AI to help plan some of our more complex surgeries. We believe that use of AI in medical care will increase. At this point, this integration is not eliminating people from our classic roles, but enhancing our ability to perform our work more accurately and more efficiently. AI, however, is truly in its infancy. As such there continue to be risks and issues with it, and the surgeon must be diligent as usual.
David Kalainov, MD. Medical Director of Orthopedics at Northwestern Memorial Hospital (Chicago): As I have progressed into my later career, I’ve become more reserved on what elective operations I’ll perform. I’m more inclined to do what works in my hands than what’s considered the “latest technique.” I’m also more reserved in considering the use of newer devices with only short-term or mid-term outcomes.
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