Original Research
The Orthopedist as Clinical Densitometrist: Cost- and Time-Effectiveness
Am J Orthop. 2007 January;36(1):15-22
Author and Disclosure Information
John G. Skedros, MD, Kim C. Bertin, MD, Joshua D. Holyoak, BA, Niki M. Milleson, BS, and Andrew Halley, MBA
Dr. Skedros is Adjunct Associate Professor of Orthopaedics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, and is in private practice at the Utah Bone and Joint Center, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Dr. Bertin is Orthopaedic Surgeon, Utah Bone and Joint Center, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Mr. Holyoak and Ms. Milleson were pre-medical students, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, at the time this article was written. Mr Holyoak is now a medical student at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
Ms. Milleson is now a medical student. Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Mr. Halley is business administrator, Utah Bone and Joint Center, Salt Lake City, Utah.
We tested the hypothesis that an orthopedic surgeon and his or her staff can efficiently and economically provide a bone densitometry service. This hypothesis reflects a philosophy that orthopedists should take a more active role in identifying patients at risk for osteoporosis. We evaluated the cost-and time-effectiveness of an orthopedic surgeon and his medical assistant in completing reports and related correspondence for dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scans conducted in an orthopedic subspecialty clinic. Cost analysis showed that completing 14 or 15 reports per month was required to break even and that completing up to 40 reports per month was a highly efficient and economic use of the surgeon’s time.