Dani Gordon (Becker Spine) recently reported on the top 3 trends for the future of spine care. These ideas were generated from the 12th Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC Conference in Chicago on June 13th. She reported the top 3 key concepts to be-
"1. Data importance is increasing. Data on outcomes, patient satisfaction and cost of care is not only what drives payer preference but also patient preference.
2. Minimally invasive techniques have become increasingly more popular. Not only has technology paved the way for less invasive techniques, but it has also created a more informed patient. Patients look for technology advancements in anesthesia, shorter procedure times and shorter recovery times. Outpatient support, effective implants and MIS technology were cited as the main focus of the spine industry, usually most prominent in ASCs.
3. Change in healthcare is widely based on IT, cost and quality of care. Although Dr. Hochschuler stresses the fact that healthcare is "fifteen-years behind the IT world," much of what improves customer care and quality is based in IT, especially with regard to education, cost of care and patient satisfaction."
As chiropractors, number 1 and number 3 are of particular importance. Patient satisfaction and cost of care are two areas which chiropractors have historically had great success. As third party payers begin to transition their reimbursement models towards satisfaction, cost, and patient outcomes, chiropractors should be in a good position to maximize reimbursement (with adequate lobbying). Additionally, while some chiropractors still cling to their travel cards, a substantial amount of chiropractors are already using technology to their advantage. Find a list of my top chiropractic iPad applications HERE.
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