Orthopaedic Surgeons Receive the Most Industry Payments to Physicians but Large Disparities are Seen in Sunshine Act Data

Background

Industry payments made to physicians by drug and device manufacturers or group purchasing organizations are now reported to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as a part of the Physician Payments Sunshine Act. Initial reports from the program show that orthopaedic surgeons lead all physician specialties in total and average industry payments. However, before further discussion of these payments and their implications can take place, it remains to be seen whether these figures are a true reflection of the field of orthopaedic surgery in general, rather than the result of a few outlier physicians in the field. In addition, the nature and sources of these funds should be determined to better inform the national dialogue surrounding these payments.

Questions/Purposes

We asked: (1) How do industry payments to orthopaedic surgeons compare with payments to physicians and surgeons in other fields, in terms of median payments and the Gini index of disparity? (2) How much do payments to the highest-receiving orthopaedic surgeons contribute to total payments? (3) What kind of industry payments are orthopaedic surgeons receiving? (4) How much do the highest-paying manufacturers contribute to total payments to orthopaedic surgeons?

Materials and Methods

We reviewed the most recent version of the CMS Sunshine Act Open Payments database released on December 19, 2014, containing data on payments made between August 1, 2013 and December 31, 2013. Data on total payments to individual physicians, physician specialty, the types of payments made, and the manufacturers making payments were reviewed. The Gini index of statistical dispersion was calculated for payments made to orthopaedic surgeons and compared with payments made to physicians and surgeons in all other medical specialties. A Gini index of 0 indicates complete equality of payments to everyone in the population, whereas an index of 1 indicates complete inequality, or all income going to one individual.

Results

A total of 15,376 orthopaedic surgeons receiving payments during the 5-month period were identified, accounting for USD 109,846,482. The median payment to orthopaedic surgeons receiving payments was USD 121 (interquartile range, USD 34–619). The top 10% of orthopaedic surgeons receiving payments (1538 surgeons) received at least USD 4160 and accounted for 95% of total payments. Royalties and patent licenses accounted for 69% of all industry payments to orthopaedic surgeons.

Conclusions

Even as a relatively small specialty, orthopaedic surgeons received substantial payments from industry (more than USD 110 million) during the 5-month study period. Whether there is a true return of value from these payments remains to be seen; however, future ethical and policy discussions regarding industry payments to orthopaedic surgeons should take into account the large disparities in payments that are present and also the nature of the payments being made. It is possible that patients and policymakers may view industry payments to orthopaedic surgeons more positively in light of these new findings.

Level of Evidence

Level III, Economic and Decision Analysis.     

Interprofessional relationships between orthopaedic and podiatric surgeons in the UK

INTRODUCTION

The first comprehensive report on the interprofessional relationships between foot and ankle surgeons in the UK is presented.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A questionnaire was sent to orthopaedic surgeons with membership of the British Foot and Ankle Surgery Society (BOFAS), orthopaedic surgeons not affiliated to the specialist BOFAS and podiatrists specialising in foot surgery. The questionnaire was returned by 77 (49%) of the BOFAS orthopaedic consultant surgeons, 66 (26%) of non-foot and ankle orthopaedic consultant surgeons and 99 (73%) of the podiatric surgeons.

RESULTS

While most respondents have experience of surgeons working in the other specialty in close geographical proximity, the majority do not believe that this has adversely affected their referral base. The experience of podiatrists of the outcomes of orthopaedic surgery has been more positive than orthopaedic surgeons of podiatric interventions. Podiatrists are more welcoming of future orthopaedic involvement in future foot and ankle services than in reverse. However, there are a sizeable number of surgeons in both professions who would like to see closer professional liaisons. The study has identified clear divisions between the professions but has highlighted areas where there is a desire from many clinicians to work more harmoniously together, such as in education, training and research.

CONCLUSIONS

While major concerns exist over issues such as surgery by non-registered medical practitioners and the suitable spectrum of surgery for each profession, many surgeons, in both professions, are willing to provide training for juniors in both specialties and there is a wish to have closer working relationships and common educational and research opportunities than exists at present.     

What is the Utility Of a Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction Service in an Academic Department of Orthopaedic Surgery?

Background

Limb lengthening and reconstruction surgery is a relatively new subspecialty of orthopaedic surgery in the United States. Despite increased awareness and practice of the specialty, it is rarely vested as a separate clinical service in an academic department of orthopaedic surgery. We have had experience growing such a dedicated service within an academic department of orthopaedic surgery over the past 9 years.

Questions/purposes

We explored (1) the use of a limb deformity service (LDS) in an academic department of orthopaedic surgery by examining data on referral patterns, our clinical volume, and academic productivity; and (2) the surgical breadth of cases comprising the patients of the LDS in an academic department of orthopaedic surgery by examining data on caseload by anatomic sites, category, and surgical techniques/tools.

Methods

We (SRR, ATF, EWB) retrospectively examined data on numbers of surgical cases and outpatient visits from the limb lengthening and complex reconstruction service at the Hospital for Special Surgery from 2005 to 2013 to evaluate growth. We studied 672 consecutive surgical cases performed by our service for a sample period of 1 year, assessing referral patterns within and outside our medical center, anatomic region, surgical category, and surgical technique/tool. Academic productivity was measured by review of our service’s publications.

Results

During the time period studied (2005–2013), outpatient and surgical volume significantly increased by 120% (1530 to 3372) and 105% (346 to 708), respectively, on our LDS. Surgical volume growth was similar to the overall growth of the department of orthopaedic surgery. Referrals were primarily from orthopaedic surgeons (56%) and self/Internet research (25%). Physician referrals were predominantly from our own medical center (83%). Referrals from within our institution came from a variety of clinical services. Forty-nine peer-reviewed articles and 23 book chapters were published by staff members of our service. Anatomic surgical sites, surgical categories, and technique/tools used on our LDS were diverse, yet procedures were specialized to the discipline of limb deformity.

Conclusions

There is a substantial role for an LDS within an academic department of orthopaedic surgery. With establishment of a dedicated service comes focus and resources that establish an environment for growth in volume, intramural and extramural referral, and purposeful research and education. The majority of referrals were from orthopaedic surgeons from our own medical center, suggesting needfulness. The LDS provides patients access to specialized surgery. The number of intramural referrals suggests that the specialty service helps retain patients within our academic orthopaedic department. Future research will try to determine if such a dedicated service leads to improved outcomes, efficiency, and value.

Level of Evidence

Level IV, retrospective study.     

How Long Will It Take to Reach Gender Parity in Orthopaedic Surgery in the United States? An Analysis of the National Provider Identifier Registry

BackgroundAlthough previous studies have evaluated how the proportion of women in orthopaedic surgery has changed over time, these analyses have been limited by small sample sizes, have primarily used data on residents, and have not included information on growth across subspecialties and geographic regions.Question/purposeWe used the National Provider Identifier registry to ask: How have the (1) overall, (2) regional, and (3) subspecialty percentages of women among all currently practicing orthopaedic providers changed over time in the United States?MethodsThe National Provider Identifier Registry of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) was queried for all active providers with taxonomy codes pertaining to orthopaedic subspecialties as of April 2020. Women orthopaedic surgeons were identified among all physicians with subspecialty taxonomy codes. As all providers are required to provide a gender when applying for an NPI, all providers with queried taxonomy codes additionally had gender classification. Our final cohort consisted of 31,296 practicing orthopaedic surgeons, of whom 8% (2363 of 31,296) were women. A total of 11,714 (37%) surgeons possessed taxonomy codes corresponding with a specific orthopaedic subspecialty. A univariate linear regression analysis was used to analyze trends in the annual proportions of women who are active orthopaedic surgeons based on NPI enumeration dates. Specifically, annual proportions were defined using cross-sections of the NPI registry on December 31 of each year. Linear regression was similarly used to evaluate changes in the annual proportion of women orthopaedic surgeons across United States Census regions and divisions, as well as orthopaedic subspecialties. The national growth rate was then projected forward to determine the year at which the representation of women orthopaedic surgeons would achieve parity with the proportion of all women physicians (36.3% or 340,018 of 936,254, as determined by the 2019 American Medical Association Physician Masterfile) and the proportion of all women in the United States (50.8% or 166,650,550 of 328,239,523 as determined by 2019 American Community Survey from the United States Census Bureau). Gender parity projections along with corresponding 95% confidence intervals were calculated using the Holt-Winters forecasting algorithm. The proportions of women physicians and women in the United States were assumed to remain fixed at 2019 values of 36.3% and 50.8%, respectively.ResultsThere was a national increase in the proportion of women orthopaedic surgeons between 2010 and 2019 (r² = 0.98; p < 0.001) at a compound annual growth rate of 2%. Specifically, the national proportion of orthopaedic surgeons who were women increased from 6% (1670 of 26,186) to 8% (2350 of 30,647). Assuming constant growth at this rate following 2019, the time to achieve gender parity with the overall medical profession (that is, to achieve 36.3% women in orthopaedic surgery) is projected to be 217 years, or by the year 2236. Likewise, the time to achieve gender parity with the overall US population (which is 50.8% women) is projected to be 326 years, or by the year 2354. During our study period, there were increases in the proportion of women orthopaedic surgeons across US Census regions. The lowest growth was in the West (17%) and the South (19%). Similar growth was demonstrated across census divisions. In each orthopaedic subspecialty, we found increases in the proportion of women surgeons throughout the study period. Adult reconstruction (0%) and spine surgery (1%) had the lowest growth.ConclusionWe calculate that at the current rate of change, it will take more than 200 years for orthopaedic surgery to achieve gender parity with the overall medical profession. Although some regions and subspecialties have grown at comparably higher rates, collectively, there has been minimal growth across all domains.Clinical RelevanceGiven this meager growth, we believe that substantive changes must be made across all levels of orthopaedic education and leadership to steepen the current curve. These include mandating that all medical school curricula include dedicated exposure to orthopaedic surgery to increase the number of women coming through the orthopaedic pipeline. Additionally, we believe the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and individual programs should require specific benchmarks for the proportion of orthopaedic faculty and fellowship program directors, as well as for the proportion of incoming trainees, who are women. Furthermore, we believe there should be a national effort led by American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and orthopaedic subspecialty societies to foster the academic development of women in orthopaedic surgery while recruiting more women into leadership positions. Future analyses should evaluate the efficacy of diversity efforts among other surgical specialties that have achieved or made greater strides toward gender parity, as well as how these programs can be implemented into orthopaedic surgery.     

The Evolution of Advocacy and Orthopaedic Surgery

Background

The future direction of American health care has become increasingly controversial during the last decade. As healthcare costs, quality, and delivery have come under intense scrutiny, physicians play evolving roles as “advocates” for both their profession and patients via healthcare policy. Hospital-physician alignment is critical to the future success of advocacy among orthopaedic surgeons, as both hospitals and physicians are key stakeholders in health care and can work together to influence major health policy decisions.

Questions/purposes

We (1) define the role of advocacy in medicine, specifically within orthopaedic surgery; (2) explore the history of physician advocacy and its evolution; (3) examine the various avenues of involvement for orthopaedic surgeons interested in advocacy; and (4) reflect on the impact of such activities on the future of orthopaedic surgery as it relates to hospital-physician alignment.

Methods

We performed a comprehensive review of the literature through a bibliographic search of MEDLINE^® and Google Scholar databases from January 2000 to December 2010 to identify articles related to advocacy and orthopaedic surgery.

Results

Advocacy among orthopaedic surgeons is critical in guiding the future of the American healthcare system. In today’s world, advocacy necessitates a wider effort to improve healthcare access, quality, and delivery for patients on a larger scale. The nature of physician advocacy among orthopaedic surgeons is grounded in the desire to serve patients and alleviate their suffering. Participation in medical societies and political campaigns are two avenues of involvement.

Conclusions

The increasing role of government in American health care will require a renewed commitment to advocacy efforts from orthopaedic surgeons. The role of advocacy is rapidly redefining the continuum of care to a trinity of clinical excellence, innovative research, and effective advocacy. Failure to recognize this growing role of advocacy limits the impact we can have for our patients.     

How Prevalent Are Hazardous Attitudes Among Orthopaedic Surgeons?

Background

So-called “hazardous attitudes” (macho, impulsive, antiauthority, resignation, invulnerable, and confident) were identified by the Federal Aviation Administration and the Canadian Air Transport Administration as contributing to road traffic incidents among college-aged drivers and felt to be useful for the prevention of aviation accidents. The concept of hazardous attitudes may also be useful in understanding adverse events in surgery, but it has not been widely studied.

Questions/purposes

We surveyed a cohort of orthopaedic surgeons to determine the following: (1) What is the prevalence of hazardous attitudes in a large cohort of orthopaedic surgeons? (2) Do practice setting and/or demographics influence variation in hazardous attitudes in our cohort of surgeons? (3) Do surgeons feel they work in a climate that promotes patient safety?

Methods

We asked the members of the Science of Variation Group—fully trained, practicing orthopaedic and trauma surgeons from around the world—to complete a questionnaire validated in college-aged drivers measuring six attitudes associated with a greater likelihood of collision and used by pilots to assess and teach aviation safety. We accepted this validation as applicable to surgeons and modified the questionnaire accordingly. We also asked them to complete the Modified Safety Climate Questionnaire, a questionnaire assessing the absence of a safety climate that is based on the patient safety cultures in healthcare organizations instrument. Three hundred sixty-four orthopaedic surgeons participated, representing a 47% response rate of those with correct email addresses who were invited.

Results

Thirty-eight percent (137 of 364 surgeons) had at least one score that would have been considered dangerously high in pilots (> 20), including 102 with dangerous levels of macho (28%) and 41 with dangerous levels of self-confidence (11%). After accounting for possible confounding variables, the variables most closely associated with a macho attitude deemed hazardous in pilots were supervision of surgical trainees in the operating room (p = 0.003); location of practice in Canada (p = 0.059), Europe (p = 0.021), and the United States (p = 0.005); and being an orthopaedic trauma surgeon (p = 0.046) (when compared with general orthopaedic surgeons), but accounted for only 5.3% of the variance (p < 0.001). On average, 19% of surgeon responses to the Modified Safety Climate Questionnaire implied absence of a safety climate.

Conclusions

Hazardous attitudes are common among orthopaedic surgeons and relate in small part to demographics and practice setting. Future studies should further validate the measure of hazardous attitudes among surgeons and determine if they are associated with preventable adverse events. We agree with aviation safety experts that awareness of amelioration of such attitudes might improve safety in all complex, high-risk endeavors, including surgery—a line of thinking that merits additional research.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11999-014-3966-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

NEUROSURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF SPINAL CONDITIONS - AN OVERVIEW*

During 1977-80 the annual number of surgical procedures on the spinal canal and discs has remained in the vicinity of 1800–1900 and fusions have ranged from 682 to 810. Neurosurgical participation in spinal surgery amounted to 18–20% of all spinal procedures. Disc lesion, canal stenosis, spondylosis, congenital and developmental malformations constituted 70% of the total spinal work carried out in a major neurosurgical unit in New South Wales. The above conditions form an ‘overlapping’ field of surgery, the orthopaedic surgeons treating an estimated 80% of these patients. Surgical management by neurosurgeons and orthopaedic surgeons of the same clinical category of spinal patient is different. An estimated one-third of orthopaedic patients are submitted to lumbar fusion. Neurosurgeons avoid fusion in the lumbar region. The need for integrated and sound neurosurgical and orthopaedic methods of management in the overlapping fields of spinal surgery has become imperative. To the neurosurgeon, the outcome of spinal surgery in terms of relevance to the extent of chronic spinal disability in the community has probably become more important than the outcome of craniocerebral surgery in the community. More attention should be given to standards of work in spinal surgery in matters of training, research and quality assurance. A research project by members of the Department of Neurosurgery, The Prince Henry and Prince of Wales Hospitals is outlined. the project is aimed at: (1) summarizing the experience of six neurosurgeons in spinal surgery in terms of results of treatment, indications, timing and surgical techniques; (2) evaluation of the effectiveness of neurological surgery in reduction of permanent disability of spinal causes; (3) definition of the role of neurosurgical techniques and management in overlapping fields of surgery. Participation of neurosurgeons and orthopaedic surgeons in the project is invited.     

Diagnostic strategies for posttraumatic osteomyelitis: a survey amongst Dutch medical specialists demonstrates the need for a consensus protocol

Introduction

Posttraumatic osteomyelitis (PTO) is a feared complication after surgical fracture care. Late diagnosis can result in interrupted and prolonged rehabilitation programmes, inability to work, medical dependency, unnecessary hospital admissions, and high medical and non-medical costs. Primary aim of this study was to assess preferred diagnostic imaging strategies for diagnosing PTO amongst orthopaedic and trauma surgeons, radiologists, and nuclear medicine physicians. Secondary aims were to determine the preferred serum inflammatory marker for diagnosing PTO and the existence of a local hospital protocol to diagnose and manage PTO.

Materials and methods

This study utilised an online survey based on four clinical scenarios, varying from early to late onset of PTO. It was designed to assess individual practitioners’ current preferred diagnostic strategy for diagnosing PTO. Eligible study participants were medical specialists and registrars in orthopaedic and trauma surgery, musculoskeletal (MSK) radiology, and nuclear medicine.

Results

There were 346 responders: 155 trauma surgeons, 102 orthopaedic surgeons, 57 nuclear medicine physicians, and 33 MSK radiologists. Trauma surgeons favour FDG-PET to image PTO, while orthopaedic surgeons prefer WBC scintigraphy. A similar difference was seen between radiologists and nuclear medicine physicians (MRI versus nuclear medicine imaging). CRP was regarded as the most useful serum inflammatory marker. Only one-third of all responders was aware of a local hospital protocol for the treatment of osteomyelitis.

Conclusions

The availability of and awareness towards local protocols to diagnose and treat PTO is poor. The results of this study support the need for future randomised controlled trials on optimal diagnostic strategies for PTO.

     

Orthopaedic Surgeons’ Knowledge and Misconceptions in the Identification of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women

Background

Intimate partner violence (IPV)—physical, sexual, psychologic, or financial abuse between intimate partners—is the most common cause of nonfatal injury to women in North America. As many IPV-related injuries are musculoskeletal, orthopaedic surgeons are well positioned to identify and assist these patients. However, data are lacking regarding surgeons’ knowledge of the prevalence of IPV in orthopaedic practices, surgeons’ screening and management methods, and surgeons’ perceptions about IPV.

Questions/purposes

We aimed to identify (1) surgeon attitudes and beliefs regarding victims of IPV and batterers and (2) perceptions of surgeons regarding their role in identifying and assisting victims of IPV.

Methods

We surveyed 690 surgeon members of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association. The survey had three sections: (1) general perception of orthopaedic surgeons regarding IPV; (2) perceptions of orthopaedic surgeons regarding victims and batterers; and (3) orthopaedic relevance of IPV. One hundred fifty-three surgeons responded (22%).

Results

Respondents manifested key misconceptions: (1) victims must be getting something out of the abusive relationships (16%); (2) some women have personalities that cause the abuse (20%); and (3) the battering would stop if the batterer quit abusing alcohol (40%). In the past year, approximately ½ the respondents (51%) acknowledged identifying a victim of IPV; however, only 4% of respondents currently screen injured female patients for IPV. Surgeons expressed concerns regarding lack of knowledge in the management of abused women (30%).

Conclusion

Orthopaedic surgeons had several misconceptions about victims of IPV and batterers. Targeted educational programs on IPV are needed for surgeons routinely caring for injured women.     

Perceptions and competence in evidence-based medicine: Are surgeons getting better? A questionnaire survey of members of the Dutch Orthopaedic Association

BACKGROUND: The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, American Volume (The Journal) recently initiated a section called "Evidence-Based Orthopaedics." Furthermore, a level-of-evidence rating is now used in The Journal to help readers in clinical decision-making. Little is known about whether this recent emphasis has influenced surgeons' perceptions about and competence in evidence-based medicine. Therefore, we examined perceptions and competence in evidence-based medicine among Dutch orthopaedic surgeons. METHODS: Members of the Dutch Orthopaedic Association were surveyed to examine their attitudes toward evidence-based medicine and their competence in evidence-based medicine. We evaluated competences using a newly developed instrument tailored to surgical practice. RESULTS: Of the 611 members, 367 surgeons (60%) responded. Orthopaedic surgeons welcomed evidence-based medicine. Practical evidence-based medicine resources were perceived as the best method to move from opinion-based or experience-based to evidence-based practice. Four variables were significantly and positively associated with the competence instrument: (1) a younger age, particularly between thirty-six and forty-five years (p = 0.007), (2) experience of less than ten years (p = 0.032), (3) having a PhD degree (p < 0.001), and (4) working in an academic or teaching setting (p = 0.004). The majority of the respondents were aware of The Journal's evidence-based medicine section (84%) and level-of-evidence ratings (65%), and 20% used The Journal's evidence-based medicine abstracts in clinical decision-making. This increased awareness of evidence-based medicine was also reflected in the frequent use of Cochrane reviews in clinical decision-making (27% of the respondents). Surgeons who used and those who were aware of but did not use The Journal's evidence-based medicine abstracts or Cochrane reviews in clinical decision-making had significantly higher competence instrument scores than those who were unaware of these resources (p = 0.03 and p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Evidence-based medicine is welcomed by Dutch orthopaedic surgeons. The recent emphasis on evidence-based medicine is reflected in an increased awareness about The Journal's evidence-based medicine section, levels of evidence, and the largest evidence-based medicine resource: the Cochrane reviews. Younger orthopaedic surgeons had better knowledge about evidence-based medicine. The development and use of evidence-based resources as well as preappraised summaries such as The Journal's evidence-based medicine abstracts and Cochrane reviews were perceived as the best way to move from opinion-based to evidence-based orthopaedic practice.     

Curettage as first surgery for bone giant cell tumor : adequate surgery is more important than oncology training or surgical management by high volume specialized teams

We reviewed the files of 203 patients with extremities GCTB treated with curettage as first surgery from 1990 to 2013. Median follow-up was 84.2 months. We evaluated whether the years of practice and training in orthopaedic oncology are associated with local recurrences, function and complications after curettage as first surgery for giant cell tumour of bone (GCTB). Local recurrences were not significantly different between orthopaedic oncology trained and non-trained orthopaedic surgeons and between orthopaedic surgeons with < 10 years and ≥ 10 years of practice. Function was not significantly different between orthopaedic oncology trained and non-trained surgeons and between orthopaedic surgeons with < 10 years and ≥ 10 years of practice. The only important univariate and multivariate predictor for local recurrence was PMMA adjuvant. Complications were not significantly different between orthopaedic oncology trained and non-trained orthopaedic surgeons and between orthopaedic surgeons with < 10 years and ≥ 10 years of practice. Curettage may be effectively performed as first surgery for GCTB by early-career (< 10 years of practice) non-trained orthopaedic oncology orthopaedic surgeons. PMMA adjuvant is recommended after appropriate curettage.

     

Orthopaedic surgeons do not increase surgical volume after investing in a specialty hospital

BACKGROUND: The number of surgical specialty hospitals with physician investors in the United States has increased in the last ten years. Opponents to these hospitals have argued that surgeon investors will perform more surgery in order to maintain the hospital's profitability. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the surgical volume or the surgical rate increased for a group of ten orthopaedic surgeons after the opening of an orthopaedic surgery specialty hospital in which they held a financial interest. METHODS: We analyzed the practice data for ten orthopaedic surgeons during an interval spanning seven years before and eight years after the opening of an orthopaedic surgery specialty hospital in which they held a financial interest. The average rates of change in the number of surgical procedures per year for each period were computed and compared with use of regression analysis. The percentages of patients who underwent surgery before and after the opening of the specialty hospital were also compared. RESULTS: The ten orthopaedic surgeons did not increase their surgical volume or surgical rate after the specialty hospital opened. The ten surgeons performed an average of 4399 surgical procedures per year before the hospital opened and 4542 surgical procedures per year after the hospital opened. The rate of change in the number of surgical procedures per year (19.1 compared with 8.9 procedures per year) did not increase after the specialty hospital opened. The annual patient volume (16,019 compared with 15,982 patients) and the percentage of patients who underwent surgery (27.5% compared with 28.4%) did not significantly change after the specialty hospital opened. CONCLUSIONS: The opening of an orthopaedic surgery specialty hospital did not increase the surgical volume or the surgical rate for ten orthopaedic surgeons who held a financial interest in the facility.     

What is the Work Environment of Orthopaedic Surgeons in China?

Background

Physicians in China face heavy demands from patients and the government for services but deal with the threat of unpredictable legal and physical conflicts with patients, some ending with the death of doctors. More than 40 doctors and nurses have been killed by patients since 2001.

Questions/purposes

We sought to evaluate (1) the demographics of orthopaedic practice, (2) duty periods, (3) practice support, and (4) job satisfaction among orthopaedic surgeons in China.

Methods

Questionnaires were posted online at www.OrthoChina.org for download by orthopaedic surgeons in 2006 to 2007, and sent to those attending meetings in 2013. In 2013, a total of 1350 surgeons were invited and 456 participated in the survey at meetings. In 2007, during the period of the survey, 9759 individuals were qualified orthopaedic surgeons, and 334 participated in the survey at www.OrthoChina.org.

Results

Ninety-one percent of orthopaedic surgeons work in public and 9% in private hospitals. Ninety-four percent work more than 8 hours per day 6 to 7 days a week. Twenty-five percent work more than 12 hours per day 6 to 7 days a week without extra compensation. The majority of orthopaedic surgeons must work on national statutory holidays. Almost none received contractually mandated income for weekends and national holidays. Approximately 80% of participants reported an attack of some kind, including physical or psychologic harm. With respect to job satisfaction, 73% stated they would not choose to be a physician again and 86% reported that they do not want their children to become a physician.

Conclusions

China’s rapid economic growth and resulting demands for modern health care have resulted in heavy pressure on orthopaedic surgeons, financially and personally. Chinese orthopaedic surgeons are overworked, suffer lack of respect, and face the possibility of serious personal harm. As a consequence, they are demoralized and unsatisfied. Significant reforms are needed.     

Comparison of the volume of scoliosis surgery between spine and pediatric orthopaedic fellowship-trained surgeons in New York and California

BACKGROUND: Controversy exists regarding the optimal fellowship training experience for surgeons who perform scoliosis surgery in pediatric patients. While many studies have demonstrated that higher surgical volumes are associated with superior outcomes, the volume of scoliosis procedures performed by pediatric orthopaedic-trained surgeons as opposed to spine surgery-trained surgeons has not been reported. METHODS: Validated, statewide hospital discharge databases from the states of New York and California were utilized to examine the volume of spinal fusion procedures performed for the treatment of scoliosis in patients who were eighteen years of age or less. Fellowship training of surgeons in New York who had performed more than fifty procedures from 1992 to 2001 (that is, more than five procedures per year) was determined, and the operative volumes of surgeons who had received pediatric orthopaedic as opposed to spine fellowship training were compared. Hospitals in California with either type of fellowship program were identified, and the operative volumes of hospitals and fellows with pediatric orthopaedic or spine fellowship training from 1995 to 1999 were compared. RESULTS: Among the 228 surgeons in New York who had performed one or more spinal fusion procedures in patients eighteen years of age or less from 1992 to 2001, only 13% (thirty) had performed more than five procedures per year. However, these thirty surgeons accounted for 75% (3858) of all 5136 procedures in this age-group. Surgeons who had completed a pediatric orthopaedic fellowship had performed a mean of 14.5 procedures per physician per year, whereas those who had completed a spine fellowship had performed a mean of 10.5 procedures per physician per year. Surgeons who had not completed either type of fellowship had performed a mean of 14.4 procedures per physician per year. In California, the mean annual volume of scoliosis procedures from 1995 to 1999 was 59.0 procedures per year at hospitals with pediatric orthopaedic fellowship programs and 15.7 procedures per year at those with spine surgery programs. The mean number of procedures per fellow at hospitals with pediatric orthopaedic fellowship programs was 31.6 procedures per fellow per year, and the mean number at hospitals with spine surgery programs was 12.7 procedures per fellow per year. Over time, there was a significant increase in the number of procedures per year at hospitals with both types of fellowship programs, but the percentage increase was greater for hospitals with pediatric orthopaedic fellowship programs than for hospitals with spine surgery fellowship programs (45.2% compared with 13.5%). CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that, on the average, a large number of surgeons in New York performed five scoliosis procedures per year or fewer. Among higher-volume surgeons in New York, those with pediatric orthopaedic fellowship training performed more scoliosis procedures on children and adolescents than those with orthopaedic spine training did. In California, the volume of scoliosis procedures at hospitals with pediatric orthopaedic fellowship programs was nearly four times greater than that at hospitals with spine fellowship programs and the volume of procedures per fellow was more than two times greater, and this disparity is widening over time. These data are an important element in establishing what type of fellowship best prepares surgeons for scoliosis surgery.     

Letournel classification for acetabular fractures. Assessment of interobserver and intraobserver reliability

BACKGROUND: A fracture classification system enables communication among surgeons and provides guidelines for treatment as well as some estimate of prognosis. Thus, the system should be anatomically meaningful and reliable. The purpose of this study was to assess the interobserver and intraobserver reliability of Letournel's acetabular fracture classification and the effect of computed tomography on its reliability. METHODS: Plain radiographs (anteroposterior and Judet views) and axial computed tomography scans were randomly chosen from an acetabular fracture database, with at least five cases of each fracture type and eight of the most common types. The study involved three groups of three orthopaedic surgeons: (1) surgeons who had studied under Letournel, (2) surgeons who specialized in acetabular fracture surgery, and (3) general trauma surgeons. Each observer read the radiographs twice, and at each session the fractures were classified first on the basis of the radiographs only and then in combination with the computed tomography scan. Observer agreement was then assessed with the unweighted kappa coefficient (kappa). We also calculated the frequency with which the observers agreed with the diagnosis made intraoperatively by the treating orthopaedic surgeon. RESULTS: The interobserver reliability without and with computed tomography during the first session was 0.70 and 0.74, respectively, for group 1, 0.71 and 0.69 for group 2, and 0.51 and 0.51 for group 3. The results of the second session were similar. When the two sessions were compared, intraobserver reliability without and with computed tomography was 0.80 and 0.83 for group 1, 0.80 and 0.80 for group 2, and 0.64 and 0.69 for group 3. The overall agreement of the radiographic observation with the fracture pattern observed at surgery was 74%. CONCLUSIONS: Letournel's acetabular classification with use of plain radiographs with or without supplemental computed tomography scans has substantial reliability (kappa > 0.7) when used by surgeons who have been taught how to interpret the images or by those who treat acetabular fractures on a regular basis. The value of computed tomography scans in the evaluation of acetabular fractures has been well established for the identification of loose bodies and articular impaction; however, they do not appear to be essential for the classification of acetabular fractures.     

A Language for Effective Communication between Surgeons and Radiographers in Trauma Theatre

INTRODUCTION

The advent of the image intensifier has revolutionised trauma surgery since its development in 1955. The manufacturers have given names to various movements of the machine in the operating manual but it has not been popular among orthopaedic surgeons or radiographers. Lack of knowledge of names of various movements and ambiguity in command often leads to confusion between the surgeon and the radiographer regarding which way to move the image intensifier. A questionnaire-based study was conducted to assess the efficacy of communication between orthopaedic surgeons and radiographers while using the image intensifier intra-operatively.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Diagrams depicting the movements of the image intensifier were used in the questionnaire. Fifty questionnaires were given to orthopaedic surgeons and 50 to radiographers to name the various movements.

RESULTS

Ninety questionnaires were returned, 45 from surgeons and 45 from radiographers. Five questionnaires from surgeons and five from radiographers were returned blank. Of those responding, 97% could name the vertical movement, 68% the horizontal movement, 12% the swivel and 29% the angulation movement. None could name the orbital movement.

CONCLUSIONS

Even though orthopaedic surgeons do not operate the image intensifier themselves, knowledge of the movements of the image intensifier and their names can improve the efficacy of communication between surgeons and radiographers. A common language and precision in command can avoid confusion and has the potential to improve theatre time utilisation. The nomenclature of various movements of the image intensifier has been described and possible precise commands for various movements have been postulated.     

Misconceptions about the three point bony relationship of the elbow

Introduction:

The 3 bony point relationship of the elbow is an important surface evaluation done in all cases of elbow pathology; its importance is highlighted by the fact that significant emphasis is also laid on this during the specialty board examinations. Confusion about the exact inter relationship exists even in the standard orthopaedic books, with various authors labeling it as isosceles, equilateral or a different triangle, without any citation to back this statement.

Materials and Methods:

The knowledge of the three bony points relationship in elbow was verified after a survey of orthopaedic surgeons undertaken by the senior author, produced disparate answers. Most (63%) classified this as an isosceles triangle. To clarify this further, 200 elbows were prospectively evaluated to measure the distances between these points and the angles were calculated.

Conclusion:

Our observations indicate that this triangle is neither isosceles, nor equilateral, but a scalene triangle of unequal sides. There may even be a minimal difference in the 2 sides of the same individual, which has the potential to complicate routine comparison of the two elbows during examination.

Results:

The analysis of data revealed that all surgeons were aware of the three bony points relationship; however 21 of the 179 (mostly senior surgeons) did not give too much importance to this evaluation in daily clinical practice. Nine surgeons were not sure what type of triangle was formed, 17 thought it was an equilateral triangle, 40 thought it was some other type of triangle while 113 (63%) thought these points formed an isosceles triangle. This is a reflection of the disparity in the perception about this triangle in the orthopaedic community in general.