Abstract
Background
Physician ownership of businesses related to orthopedic surgery, such as surgery centers,
has been criticized as potentially leading to misuse of health care resources. The
purpose of this study was to determine patients’ attitudes toward surgeon ownership
of orthopedic-related businesses.
Methods
We surveyed 280 consecutive patients at 2 centers regarding their attitudes toward
surgeon ownership of orthopedic-related businesses using an anonymous questionnaire.
Three surgeon ownership scenarios were presented: (1) owning a surgery center, (2)
physical therapy (PT), and (3) imaging facilities (eg, Magnetic Resonance Imaging
scanner).
Results
Two hundred fourteen patients (76%) completed the questionnaire. The majority agreed
that it is ethical for a surgeon to own a surgery center (73%), PT practice (77%),
or imaging facility (77%). Most (>67%) indicated that their surgeon owning such a
business would have no effect on the trust they have in their surgeon. Although >70%
agreed that a surgeon in all 3 scenarios would make the same treatment decisions,
many agreed that such surgeons might perform more surgery (47%), refer more patients
to PT (61%), or order more imaging (58%). Patients favored surgeon autonomy, however,
believing that surgeons should be allowed to own such businesses (78%). Eighty-five
percent agreed that patients should be informed if their surgeon owns an orthopedic-related
business.
Conclusion
Although patients express concern over and desire disclosure of surgeon ownership
of orthopedic-related businesses, the majority believes that it is an ethical practice
and feel comfortable receiving care at such a facility.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: January 28, 2016
Accepted:
January 20,
2016
Received in revised form:
January 17,
2016
Received:
September 26,
2015
Footnotes
One or more of the authors of this paper have disclosed potential or pertinent conflicts of interest, which may include receipt of payment, either direct or indirect, institutional support, or association with an entity in the biomedical field which may be perceived to have potential conflict of interest with this work. For full disclosure statements refer to http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.arth.2016.01.036.
Identification
Copyright
© 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
