The ongoing move from fee-for-service to value-based care, pain management and evolving clinical guidelines are three trends that leaders in the orthopedic and healthcare industries are currently following.
Morgan Lorio, MD, of Advanced Orthopaedics and Pain Management in Orlando, Fla., Kai-Uwe Lewandrowski, MD, of the Center for Advanced Spine Care of Southern Arizona in Tucson, Ariz., and Kenneth Blum, PhD, of Transplicegen in Austin, Texas, recently connected with Becker's to share the following thoughts on the orthopedic and broader healthcare trends they are following:
Trend 1: Shift from fee-for-service to value-based care in orthopedics
Orthopedic surgeons navigating the fee-for-service model encounter challenges linked to promoting high-volume procedures, risking overutilization and inadequate reimbursements for essential services. This model, lacking emphasis on patient outcomes and preventive care, contributes to rising healthcare costs. Acknowledging these issues, a notable, although not predominant trend, is the transition toward value-based care, prioritizing patient outcomes and cost-effectiveness, yet encountering challenges such as unintended disparities and increased administrative burden, prompting collaborative efforts for effective implementation and advocating for higher reimbursement based on demonstrated long-term healthcare system savings.
Trend 2: Pharmacogenomics of pain management
Emerging as a crucial trend, the pharmacogenomics of pain management focuses on understanding genetic variations influencing pain sensitivity, particularly within the dopaminergic system. This trend recognizes the impact of dysregulated neurotransmitter systems on pain perception, linking conditions like depression and anxiety to altered pain experiences. Embracing pharmacogenomics offers a transformative approach, ushering in precision medicine by tailoring pain management strategies to individuals' genetic makeup, potentially reducing opioid use and minimizing the risk of addiction in post-surgical care models.
Trend 3: The integration of computational approaches in clinical guideline evolution
The utilization of computational approaches in analyzing extensive datasets within genetics, medicine and health is reshaping healthcare resource allocation. In silico analysis of gene polymorphism allows for personalized treatment approaches, maximizing efficacy and minimizing adverse effects. Traditional clinical guideline development is adapting to incorporate dynamic, technologically advanced approaches, with the Rasch model facilitating quicker updates through surveys, enhancing the integration of surgeons' and patients' experiences into evidence-based guidelines.