Sohaib Hashmi, MD, said the specialty’s future is bright because of its evolving workforce and the innovations on the horizon.
Dr. Hashmi, of UCI Health in Orange, Calif., outlined three points of hope in the field.
Note: This response was lightly edited for clarity.
Question: What keeps you most optimistic about the future of spine surgery?
Dr. Sohaib Hashmi: I’m most optimistic about the rapidly evolving ecosystem of spine care. We are developing patient-specific advancements in pre-operative optimization, evaluation and surgical planning. I’m especially optimistic as integration of AI tools enhances decision-making, personalize risk assessment, and increase the precision and safety of our conservative and operative strategies.
Equally encouraging is the continued strengthening of collaboration between orthopaedic surgery and neurosurgery. This partnership allows us to deliver the highest level of comprehensive, patient-centered spine care by combining complementary skill sets, perspectives, and innovations.
Finally, the next generation of spine surgeons gives me tremendous confidence in the future. Their training now blends the best of orthopaedic and neurosurgical techniques within dedicated spine fellowships, preparing them to lead the field forward. They will drive the research, clinical trials, and technological advances that shape motion-preserving treatments, fusion strategies, open to ultra-minimally invasive approaches, with the ultimate goal of providing predictable, durable, and individualized spine care for every patient.
At the Becker’s 32nd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, taking place October 29-31 in Chicago, ASC leaders, surgeons and healthcare executives will explore strategies to drive growth, enhance operational performance, navigate reimbursement challenges and prepare for the future of ambulatory surgery. Apply for complimentary registration now.
