How economically viable is gynecologic surgery today, and what happens if the system keeps pushing the limits? In this episode of BackTable OBGYN, Dr. Marisa Dahlman from Virginia Mason in Seattle sits down with hosts Mark Hoffman and Dr. Amy Park to discuss the evolving landscape of this field and the pressures surrounding reimbursement.

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SYNPOSIS

Dr. Dahlman begins by sharing her career path and fellowship experience before the conversation expands to explore the shift from MIGS (Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery) to CBG (Complex Benign Gynecology), current reimbursement challenges, the difficulty of balancing obstetric and gynecological practice, and how these forces influence training and clinical life. They also discuss the stressors new graduates face while building viable practices, broader healthcare system challenges, resource allocation, and potential solutions to improve practice sustainability and patient care.

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Introduction
03:06 - Fellowship Training and Career Pathways
11:43 - Impact of Reimbursement on Fellowship Applications
15:20 - Workforce Issues and Future of GYN Surgery
28:02 - Advocacy and Leadership in Healthcare
29:27 - Understanding Hospital Revenue and Efficiency
31:54 - The Role of Physician Leadership in Healthcare
35:35 - Navigating Healthcare System Mergers
36:47 - The Future of Healthcare Amidst Financial Cuts
41:40 - Addressing Healthcare Costs and Reimbursement
45:11 - The Importance of Women's Health Services
47:37 - Strategies for Improving Healthcare Systems
53:48 - Concluding Thoughts

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RESOURCES

Trends in gynecologic surgery reimbursement and physician pay
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40305043/