With staffing shortages still affecting the U.S. healthcare industry, it is important to emphasize to staff the importance of their work, according to one orthopedic surgeon.
Ronald Gardner, MD, founder of Gardner Orthopedics in Fort Myers, Fla., connected with Becker’s to talk about how he has navigated the shortages at his practice.
Ask Orthopedic Surgeons is a weekly series of questions posed to orthopedic surgeons around the country about clinical, business and policy issues affecting orthopedic care. Becker’s invites all orthopedic surgeons and specialists to respond.
Next question: What assumption about orthopedic growth or demand do you think health systems are getting wrong right now?
Please send responses to Cameron Cortigiano at ccortigiano@beckershealthcare.com by 5 p.m. CST on Jan. 19.
Editor’s note: This response has been lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: How are staffing shortages or skill gaps showing up most clearly in your OR, practice and/or clinic?
Dr. Ronald Gardner: Nobody has to be told how much wage inflation we have seen since COVID. Add to that the competition we face with other industries WITHOUT pricing restrictions makes finding and keeping good staff challenging, but the best staff sees the satisfaction they get and the value they bring in healthcare. That is what we need to emphasize.
