Complexity isn’t just a byproduct; it’s often a strategy.
The orthopedic device industry, much like credit card companies or car dealerships, operates within what Scott Adams might call a “confusopoly” – an environment where confusion is manufactured to obscure choices and secure sales. This deliberate complexity affects hospitals, surgeons, and patients alike, creating a veil over what should be a transparent healthcare process.
This comment from David KIRWAN – Orthopaedic Surgeon on my complexity posting, REALLY got me thinking. Transcribed below.
Great insight. Improving “the system” is about sales, not improving the implant or the surgery. When you have a hammer….or a robot… The “robotic process” includes data collection, which is a good thing. But data could be collected without a $1m machine making the bone cuts. Navigation software could have collected data for the last 20 years. But “the system” chose not to. Robots have not simplified “the system”. Instead, they are part of it and they have complicated it. And they have consumed resources massively. “The System” isn’t stupid!
The Root of the Problem: Lack of Transparency
The core issue plaguing the orthopedic sector is a profound lack of transparency, which can be traced back to several key areas:
- Product Performance: Currently, performance data is hidden within the FDA’s MAUDE database, making it challenging for anyone to discern which products perform better. In an ideal scenario, transparency in product performance would empower hospitals, surgeons, and patients to make informed decisions, enhancing patient care.
- Clinical Outcomes: Orthopedic companies collect data on clinical outcomes, yet this information is often not shared in real-time, sometimes only surfacing years after the product’s lifecycle has ended. The call for transparency here is clear – timely and accessible clinical outcomes would enable better decision-making in treatment options.
- Surgeon Payments: Despite regulations like Sunshine laws intended to shed light on financial relationships between device companies and surgeons, the details remain obscure. In a transparent system, patients would know which surgeons have financial ties to specific manufacturers, ensuring unbiased treatment recommendations.
- Product Features: The features of orthopedic devices are often shrouded in complex terminology or hidden behind trademarks. This makes it difficult for healthcare providers to compare products objectively, relying instead on sales representatives’ subjective opinions. Transparency in product features would mean clear, straightforward comparisons, enhancing trust and efficiency in product selection.
- Product Pricing: Pricing in the orthopedic sector is opaque, with comparisons often hindered by the complexity of features and the negotiation of premium prices. A transparent pricing model would allow for straightforward comparisons, enabling hospitals to negotiate better deals and manage costs effectively.
A Beacon of Hope: Relatable
Amidst this landscape of confusion, one startup stands out for its commitment to transparency. Relatable has developed a solution that brings clarity to the orthopedic industry. Their platform aims to demystify the complexities by providing clear, accessible information on product performance, clinical outcomes, surgeon payments, product features, and pricing.
For more information on how Relatable is revolutionizing transparency in orthopedics, visit https://relatable.io or contact [email protected].
Conclusion
The orthopedic healthcare system can significantly improve by addressing this lack of transparency. It’s time for the industry to embrace openness, ensuring that decisions are based on clear, unbiased information rather than engineered confusion. We owe it to our patients, ourselves, and the integrity of healthcare to do better. Let’s move towards a future where transparency isn’t just a buzzword but a fundamental principle in orthopedics.