Keith Berend, MD, is a hip and knee surgeon and founding physician of Joint Implant Surgeons in New Albany, Ohio.
Joint Implant Surgeons is one of the clinical trial sites for the newly launched Zimmer Biomet-Apple collaborative app, MyMobility. Here, Dr. Berend outlines the challenges his practice faces and where he sees the big opportunities in the future.
Question: What are the top challenges you're facing heading into 2019?
Dr. Keith Berend: The routine answers are declining reimbursement, increasing regulatory and governmental issues, and increasing cost of running a practice. However, these challenges can also be opportunities for new ideas and new ways of doing things. Increasing efficiencies, careful oversight with hands-on leadership, novel marketing and public relations efforts are important. One such effort is to actually return to the 'old school' practice of meeting with referral sources, providing real education about musculoskeletal care and offering streamlined care for their patients.
Q: What technology are you most excited about in the future?
KB: I'm excited about the Zimmer Biomet MyMobility Apple Watch platform. Not only is the technology exciting, but the data being collected on more than 10,000 arthroplasty patients will provide predictive analytics that will try to change outcomes.
Q: What is your best opportunity for growth?
KB: At our ASC, White Fence Surgical Suites in New Albany, Ohio, we have performed more outpatient joint replacements than any other freestanding center in the world. We believe that this trend, which is now become the norm, will and should influence CMS to allow Medicare patients to have their procedures done at these facilities. This is a great opportunity for growth but also creates value, savings and better outcomes.
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For a deeper dive into the future of orthopedics, attend the Becker's 17th Annual Future of Spine + Spine, Orthopedic & Pain Management-Driven ASC in Chicago, June 13-5, 2019. Click here to learn more and register.