Affiliation:
1. St Luke’s Sports Medicine, Boise, Idaho
2. Emory Orthopaedic and Spine Center, Atlanta, Georgia
3. Resurgens Orthopaedics, Atlanta, Georgia
Abstract
Background: Research has shown increases in efficiency and productivity by using physician extenders (PEs) in medical practices. Certified athletic trainers (ATCs) that work as PEs in primary care sports medicine and orthopaedic practices improve clinic efficiency. Hypothesis: When compared with a medical assistant (MA), the use of an ATC as a PE in a primary care sports medicine practice will result in an increase in patient volume, charges, and collections. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: For 12 months, patient encounters, charges, and collections were obtained for the practices of 2 primary care sports medicine physicians. Each physician was assisted by an ATC for 6 months and by an MA for 6 months. Eighty full clinic days were examined for each physician. Results: Statistically significant increases were found in all measured parameters for the ATC compared with the MA. Patient encounters increased 18% to 22% per day, and collections increased by 10% to 60% per day. Conclusion: ATCs can optimize orthopaedic sports medicine practice by increasing patient encounters, charges, and collections. Clinical Relevance: Orthopaedic practices can be more efficient by using ATCs or MAs as PEs.
Subject
Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation,Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Cited by
10 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献