Becker’s Spine Review is a publication for orthopedic and spine surgeons and surgery center administrators. Each week, Becker’s releases additions to their Ask Spine Surgeons series, and earlier this month, spine surgeons were asked to answer a few questions. Check out Dr. Richard Kube’s responses, below!
Question: How can spine surgeons maintain positive relationships with referral sources?
Richard Kube, MD, Founder, CEO, Prairie Spine & Pain Institute, Peoria, Ill.: First, communicate with the physicians. They are colleagues who have consulted you for your expertise. Treat them with respect and show your gratitude for their placing trust in your capability. Also, seek out what you can do to make their life easier. We have all had patients with ailments outside of our core competency and have looked for that consult that could take away difficult disease management. The referring provider is no different. I once heard someone say that there are three major types of chronic orthopedic pain — neck pain, back pain and foot pain. We take care of two out of three of them. Analyze how you can make the lives of your referring providers and their staff easier and you will be endearing to many referral sources.
Question: How do you see biologics and regenerative medicine growing in spine care?
Richard Kube, MD, Founder, CEO, Prairie Spine & Pain Institute, Peoria, Ill.: Clear those history cobwebs and think manifest destiny. These technologies are the new frontier in our specialty. Much like the settling of the West, we will experience pitfalls, challenges and the realization of great opportunity to change the lives of our patients in ways we never imagined.
This article (1, 2) was originally posted on BeckersSpine.com.
