Podcast Summary

Podcast: Becker’s Healthcare Podcast
Episode: Dr. Alaa Abd-Elsayed, Medical Director, UW Health Pain Services
Date: November 29, 2025
Host: Grace Lynn Keller (Becker’s Healthcare)
Guest: Dr. Alaa Abd-Elsayed (Medical Director, UW Health Pain Services)

Episode Overview

This episode features a conversation between host Grace Lynn Keller and Dr. Alaa Abd-Elsayed, an esteemed pain physician and anesthesiologist at the University of Wisconsin. Their discussion revolves around the rapid expansion of Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs), the impact of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) on operational efficiency, and the rise of collaborative ventures in the ASC market.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Dr. Abd-Elsayed’s Background

• [00:56] Dr. Abd-Elsayed introduces himself as the Medical Director at UW Health Pain Services.
• He splits his time between inpatient, ambulatory, and clinic settings, serving patients in both hospital and ASC environments.

The Booming ASC Market

• Growth Projections:
  • “In the US, it's projected to reach $60.8 billion by 2030 and it continues to experience strong year over year.” – Grace Lynn Keller [01:15]
• Drivers and Forces:
  • Dr. Abd-Elsayed highlights that:
    • ASCs are “typically owned by smaller groups,” allowing for “more control, more autonomy,” and direct financial oversight.
    • This ownership model offers “efficiencies which are good for patients as well,” promoting quick ‘in and out’ surgeries and improved patient wellness by enabling same-day home returns.
  • Quote:
    • “The expansion in ASCs... is inevitable. It's happening and it's happening fast.” – Dr. Alaa Abd-Elsayed [01:35]
    • “Quick surgeries in and out... is good not only financially but also for the health and wellness of patient just to be home on the same day.” – Dr. Alaa Abd-Elsayed [02:00]

Technology and Innovation in ASCs

• Role of AI and Automation:
  • Dr. Abd-Elsayed notes that AI will ease operational pressures, especially regarding staff shortages, by making processes “very smooth, very quick.” [02:34]
  • Quote:
    • “AI will make things very smooth, very quick, will help the shortage of staff that we are encountering nowadays at all grounds in the operating room and outside the operating room.” – Dr. Alaa Abd-Elsayed [02:34]
• Specific Innovations:
  • While many technologies are advancing the space, Dr. Abd-Elsayed singles out AI-powered appeals as notably transformative.
    • “AI in appeals has been very successful in reversing a lot of those appeals, which... leads to our patient be able to get the care they deserve.”
    • AI-driven scribing and medical coding are also helping “make it efficient,” “maybe more accurate,” and “reduce errors in coding.”
  • Practical Benefits: Reduced labor, fewer insurance back-and-forths, quality and safety enhancements.

Collaboration and Joint Ventures

• Trends: More health systems and ASCs are partnering (over 60% considering ASC joint ventures).
• Benefits:
  • Collaborations lead to a “stronger foundation” because “everybody will have skin in the game,” driving collective success, enhancing patient care, and boosting financial health.
  • “These… joint ventures allow for a stronger foundation because everybody will have skin in the game.” – Dr. Alaa Abd-Elsayed [04:09]
• Financial Emphasis:
  • Dr. Abd-Elsayed repeatedly underscores the importance of financial sustainability for ASCs, stating strong collaborations result in “better patient care, more patient volumes, [and] stronger financials.” [04:09-04:55]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On ASC Growth:
  • “It's a growing model, I think it's a good model and I think when you develop those models you always look for efficiencies which are good for patients as well.” – Dr. Alaa Abd-Elsayed [01:35]
• On AI’s Transformative Role:
  • “The main one that we're all excited about is use AI, for example, for appeals, because that's a very tedious process, very lengthy and require a lot of labor work.” – Dr. Alaa Abd-Elsayed [03:14]
• On Collaboration:
  • “Everybody will work on success of the ASC rather than just being owned by individual or a small group.” – Dr. Alaa Abd-Elsayed [04:09]
• On the Future of Healthcare:
  • “I always enjoy talking about AI, which is the future of healthcare, and seeing always this progression in the conference. And the focus in AI is very intriguing.” – Dr. Alaa Abd-Elsayed [05:04]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:56 – Dr. Abd-Elsayed background and current roles
• 01:15 – ASC market growth and drivers
• 02:20 – Tech transformation in ASCs, future outlook
• 03:14 – Specific AI innovations (appeals, scribing, coding)
• 04:09 – Collaboration, joint ventures, and system partnerships
• 05:04 – Closing remarks on AI and healthcare’s future

Tone and Takeaways

The conversation is forward-thinking, practical, and optimistic, with Dr. Abd-Elsayed expressing enthusiasm for the integration of AI in healthcare and a clear focus on operational efficiency, collaboration, and patient-centered outcomes. For ASC leaders, his insights emphasize preparing for tech-driven change and fostering cooperative partnerships as essential steps to continued growth and sustainability.