Look beyond orthopaedics to gear up for the 2020s and beyond

Technologies making headway in other sectors can unlock improvements in the efficiency, effectiveness and patient satisfaction of orthopaedic surgery. But a collaborative approach is needed, and we have to act now, says Brian Lambton, Global Professional Education Manager, Corin Group

It’s 50 years since knee replacement surgery was first performed, and almost 60 years since Professor Sir John Charnley completed the first full hip replacement. These once pioneering operations have become some of the most commonly performed and successful surgical procedures in medicine. Long-term survivorship and clinical outcomes are good, with most patients enjoying an active life following surgery.

However, multiple studies suggest that around 10-20 per cent of post-operative knee patients report some level of dissatisfaction. This is significant, especially in view of the growing trend for patient-reported outcome measures (PROMS) to be factored into overall clinical outcomes. In this environment, patient satisfaction becomes a critical success factor. And we also need to consider the bigger picture: with an aging population and over-stretched healthcare providers, the orthopaedic value equation is under extreme pressure.

How can you improve clinical outcomes and PROMS while reducing the cost of the care cycle? This is the million-dollar question facing the orthopaedic sector. And digital technologies that have already been proven in other sectors might just hold the answer.

One thing is clear, implant innovation is not enough in itself. We need to dig deeper, analyse the entire end-to-end patient experience, then leverage insights to address satisfaction and efficiency issues. To achieve this, we’ll need to embrace technologies and approaches that have been proven elsewhere. This article outlines three considerations that should be at the top of the agenda for any organisation that’s serious about augmenting the effectiveness and value of orthopaedic surgery.

By Brian Lambton | Orthopaedic Product News

Image Credit: Corin

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