AAOS works to stay ahead of evolving health care system
SAN DIEGO — As health care continues to rapidly change and evolve, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has worked to help orthopedic surgeons stay ahead of the curve.
“We think that change favors the nimble and change always favors the people that are forward-thinkers,” Joseph Bosco III, MD, immediate past president of the AAOS and professor and vice chair at NYU Langone Orthopedics, told Healio Orthopedics. “We like to think that musculoskeletal health and care is going to be part of the future and we are going to be part of that future.”
One big driver of change in the past year was the COVID-19 pandemic, which Bosco noted led to an acceleration of outpatient surgery by allowing surgeons to prove that it could be performed and, most importantly, be performed safely. The pandemic also accelerated the use of telehealth within orthopedics, according to Bosco. Where telehealth was a slowly evolving area prohibited by regulations prior to COVID-19, he said the pandemic allowed for those regulations to be suspended.
“The regulatory climate has evolved to allow telemedicine to take a high role and because we were forced to use it, we learned how to use it,” Bosco said. “The platforms got better, and patients realized they were motivated to use it too. They realized it is good. Sure, there is nothing better than seeing a doctor in person a lot of time, but you can use telemedicine to add to that, as well.”
Bosco added the AAOS is working to improve diversity within the society by educating orthopedic surgeons on and addressing implicit biases that are present.
“It is nothing that can happen overnight, but we are headed in the right direction,” Bosco said. “Will we get there as fast as we want? No, but we are working on it, and it is a high priority for us.”
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