1. The Most Important Issues Facing Spine Surgeons: Q&A With ISASS President Dr. Steven Garfin—In this interview, Dr. Steven Garfin discusses some of the biggest challenges spine surgeons face today, including declining reimbursement and advancing surgical instrumentation and technique. He also touches on the goals of the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery and the organization’s global advocacy efforts.
2. 50 Spine Practices to Know—This is a list of independent spine practices from around the country. The practices include multiple spine surgeons and specialists and many have onsite ancillary services. Partners at these practices are often leaders among their peers in spine surgery, team physicians for professional athletes and on the forefront of spine research and innovation. This issue also includes a list of 22 spine-driven ambulatory surgery centers where spine surgeons routinely perform outpatient cases.
3. Dr. Brian Cole: 5 Big Challenges for Orthopedic Surgeons Today—Brian Cole, MD, head of the Cartilage Restoration Center at Rush in Chicago, offers his expertise on industry challenges for orthopedic surgeons. In this article, he touches on orthopedic surgeon employment by hospitals, developing evidence-based guidelines for orthopedic care and consolidation within the healthcare space.
4. 8 Spine Surgeons on the Future of Spinal Fusions—Eight spine surgeon leaders, including Hyun Bae, MD, Robert Watkins Jr., MD, Dennis Crandall, MD, Jeffrey Cantor, MD, Robert J. Banco, MD, Jaideep Chunduri, MD, Stephen T. Onesti, MD, and Sheeraz Qureshi, MD, talk about the recent trend in spinal fusions and where the procedure is headed in the future.
5. 6 Steps to Prepare for the Future of Outpatient Spine Surgery—In this article, Dr. Robert S. Bray outlines how spine surgeons and ambulatory surgery centers can integrate outpatient spine surgery into their practice and facility. Dr. Bray successfully runs two outpatient surgery centers where surgeons perform complex orthopedic and spine procedures on an outpatient basis. This issue also features “5 Thoughts for Spine Surgeons on Migrating Cases to ASCs” which provides specific guidance for surgeons on the business side of performing cases in an ASC.
This issue also includes information about the 19th Annual Ambulatory Surgery Centers-Improving Profitability and Business and Legal Issues Conference, which will be held Oct. 25-27 in Chicago. We will have 91 sessions and 138 great speakers, including key note speakers Tony LaRussa, Howard Dean and Ari Fleischer. Howard Dean and Ari Fleischer will debate healthcare and the elections. Keynote panels will be moderated by Suzy Welch.
Should you have any questions or comments, please contact myself at sbecker@beckershealthcare.com or editor-in-chief Laura Miller at lmiller@beckershealthcare.com.
Very truly yours,
Scott Becker
P.S. For information on advertising or exhibiting in Becker’s Orthopedic, Spine & Pain Management Review, or at the Becker’s Spine Website, please contact Jessica Cole or Becker’s Orthopedic, Spine & Pain Management review at 800-417-2035.
