Here are six statistics on orthopedic surgeon practice management based on the Medscape Orthopedics Productivity Report: 2011 Results. The report is based on data collected during 2010.
1. Expense reductions—nearly 70 percent of orthopedic surgeons reported not reducing office operating costs. However, almost 25 percent reported reducing costs up to 10 percent. According to the report, the inability to reduce costs could stem from investment in expensive equipment, among other things.
2. Hours spent on administrative work—nearly 35 percent of orthopedic surgeons reported spending 10-14 hours per week on administrative work or other non-patient activities. Only about 15 percent of the orthopedic surgeons reported spending less than five hours doing administrative work while 56 percent reported spending 10 or more hours completing non-patient activities, according to the report.
3. Investment in surgery centers—approximately 41 percent of orthopedic physicians reported investing in ambulatory surgery centers or having an interest in ASC investment. About 30 percent of those reported already having done so. According to the report, uncertainty surrounding the healthcare market could be discouraging more physicians from making the investment.
4. Physicians employed by hospitals were compensated higher—according to the report, orthopedic surgeons employed by hospitals received higher compensation, but less than 10 percent more than surgeons in private practice groups. Surgeons in private practice groups, whether single specialty or multi-specialty, reported receiving between $300,000 and $400,000 on average.
5. Number of visits per week—about half of orthopedic surgeons reported seeing 50 to 99 patients per week. Around 16 percent report seeing less than 50 patients while around 35 percent report seeing 100 to 149 patients per week.
6. Time spent with patients—nearly 40 percent of orthopedic surgeons reported spending nine to 12 minutes with each patient, and the majority of surgeons said they spent between nine and 16 minutes with patients. Fewer than 10 percent of surgeons said they spent more than 20 minutes with each patient. These numbers only include time spent with the surgeon in the office, not surgical time, preoperative or postoperative education and follow-up.
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2. Hours spent on administrative work—nearly 35 percent of orthopedic surgeons reported spending 10-14 hours per week on administrative work or other non-patient activities. Only about 15 percent of the orthopedic surgeons reported spending less than five hours doing administrative work while 56 percent reported spending 10 or more hours completing non-patient activities, according to the report.
3. Investment in surgery centers—approximately 41 percent of orthopedic physicians reported investing in ambulatory surgery centers or having an interest in ASC investment. About 30 percent of those reported already having done so. According to the report, uncertainty surrounding the healthcare market could be discouraging more physicians from making the investment.
4. Physicians employed by hospitals were compensated higher—according to the report, orthopedic surgeons employed by hospitals received higher compensation, but less than 10 percent more than surgeons in private practice groups. Surgeons in private practice groups, whether single specialty or multi-specialty, reported receiving between $300,000 and $400,000 on average.
5. Number of visits per week—about half of orthopedic surgeons reported seeing 50 to 99 patients per week. Around 16 percent report seeing less than 50 patients while around 35 percent report seeing 100 to 149 patients per week.
6. Time spent with patients—nearly 40 percent of orthopedic surgeons reported spending nine to 12 minutes with each patient, and the majority of surgeons said they spent between nine and 16 minutes with patients. Fewer than 10 percent of surgeons said they spent more than 20 minutes with each patient. These numbers only include time spent with the surgeon in the office, not surgical time, preoperative or postoperative education and follow-up.
More Articles on Orthopedic Practices:
Surviving a Turbulent Healthcare Market: 7 Points From Dr. Steven Wertheim of Resurgens Orthopaedics
Attracting Patients From Around the World: Q&A With Dr. John Knight of DISC Sports & Spine Center
8 Quick Tips for Orthopedic Practice Revenue Cycle Management