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B
Is Gracelyn Keller with the Beckers Healthcare Podcast and we are live at the 22nd annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management Conference. I'm currently joined by Dr. Joseph Lamplot, who is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist at Endeavor Health Orthopedic and Spine Institute. Dr. Lamplot, thanks for being here to start us off. Can you please share a little bit more about yourself, your role in your organization?
C
Of course. So I'm an orthopedic surgeon. I specialize in sports medicine and shoulder surgery. I work for Endeavor Health, it's a nine hospital health care system in Illinois. It's actually the second largest health care system in Illinois and I work within the Northwest Community Hospital System. So this is recently we merged with Endeavor Healthcare and we're building an orthopedic hospital employed orthopedic group at NCH currently.
B
Wonderful. Well, thanks so much for being here. And let's start our conversation with what trends are shifts you're currently seeing in the industry right now that that you think are most important for leaders to pay attention to.
C
So we're case in point. Consolidation is happening everywhere. As I mentioned, we went from basically three large systems into one and I think as those consolidations continue to happen, we need to make sure we maintain quality. I think putting pride aside, each of the kind of member hospitals does some things well and we have data to support each of those things. So as we've come together as one large system, and especially starting a new group at one of our hospitals, we're trying to kind of cherry pick the best aspects of each hospital as we build our program. And it's been really helpful to have that roadmap as we kind of put together our orthopedic program at Northwest Community.
B
Wonderful. And I'd love to touch on staffing and workforce challenges as well as these continue to be concerns across healthcare. So how's your organization navigating these pressures and what strategies have you seen working well, of course.
C
So, and this is uniform across the board. The cost of providing care is increasing, the cost of staffing is increasing, and our reimbursements are staying the same or, or going down relative to inflation. So maintaining your staff is critical. I think turnover of, of anybody, whether it's physicians or staff, is, is almost a, a never event. We want to try and minimize that from happening because it ends up costing you a whole lot more than if you're able to keep them. So staying market competitive or even slightly above the market in terms of salaries and benefits is critically important. The reality is, I think now there's a little in staying with the same job or the same organization throughout your career. I think if there's opportunities to go elsewhere where, where the job, the work life, balance the benefits, the salary, all those things contribute. So we have to find a way to balance all of those things and keep the people that we have.
B
Absolutely. And let's talk about outpatient care. As this continues to grow, how do you see the role of orthopedics evolving within the broader healthcare ecosystem?
C
So orthopedics, you know, what we're seeing right now in terms of the care that we provide, we're moving most of the procedures that we do to the asc. And I think that as we start bundling care for most procedures forward, we're going to have to deliver care in a cost effective way. And not only do our ASCs provide care in a more cost effective way, but patient satisfaction is generally higher. So I think the move to the ASC is something that we're inevitably going to continue seeing. The second thing, in terms of orthopedics, there's lots of competition and I think that people are a little bit less loyal to the organizations that they may have been seen for years. So, you know, case example would be a patient that has had a primary care in one organization forever just because they're provided a referral to see a provider or an orthopedist or any specialist within that organization, they have so many options and they have so many good options in competitive markets. So we have to basically maintain quality, maintain satisfaction and get patients in quickly and provide great care for them. So I think in orthopedics we're seeing that. We're seeing that to a high degree now.
B
Absolutely. And then as we wrap our conversation up, many organizations are exploring new technologies, partnerships or care models to improve efficiency and outcomes. So are there any innovations or initiatives you found particularly promising?
C
So one thing we've adapted within the last two years is AI driven dictation software. And that has massively improved efficiency across the board and it's really improved physician quality of life and app provider quality of life. Reason being, you know, I can tell you from my experience seeing, you know, 40 to 50 patients in a day and finishing your notes after clinic, you would be spending upwards of two hours oftentimes at home, you know, after the kids go to bed and you're up till 9 o' clock and then you rinse and repeat the next day. So now with this AI driven software, and some are better than others and they continue to improve, it's basically given me, you know, two hours per day back to myself. And that allows you not only to, you know, have that work life balance, but also achieve things in the workplace, whether that's research, whether that's meetings, whether that's, you know, whatever that we didn't really have before.
B
Absolutely. And is there anything else you'd like to add that we didn't touch on today?
C
You know, another thing in terms of efficiency is the use of, of Google. So Google my business. I really think that all physicians should have a Google my business profile that they're active with. I think that generating new patients and generating strong reviews is critical to building a practice. So, you know, one thing that we're using with all of our patients is we're trying to send them an automated Google, basically a Google survey to generate those, those positive reviews and get patients in the door. So I think we're, we're using, you know, between the AI software that we use in clinic and improve use of Google, we're finding that's improving our outcomes.
B
Wonderful. Well, Dr. Lamplot, thanks so much for taking the time to join me today on the Becker's Healthcare podcast and share these insights again. We are recording live at the 22nd annual Spine Orthopedic and Pain Management Conference.
C
Perfect. Thank you so much.
Episode: Dr. Joseph Lamplot, Orthopedic Surgeon & Sports Medicine Specialist
Release Date: July 27, 2025
Host: Gracelyn Keller
In this insightful episode of the Becker’s Healthcare Podcast, host Gracelyn Keller engages in a comprehensive discussion with Dr. Joseph Lamplot, an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist at Endeavor Health Orthopedic & Spine Institute. Recorded live at the 22nd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management Conference, Dr. Lamplot delves into current industry trends, workforce challenges, the evolution of outpatient care, and innovative technologies shaping the future of orthopedic healthcare.
Dr. Lamplot begins by addressing the significant trend of consolidation within the healthcare industry. He explains how his organization transitioned from three large systems into one, emphasizing the importance of maintaining quality during such mergers.
“As we've come together as one large system, and especially starting a new group at one of our hospitals, we're trying to kind of cherry pick the best aspects of each hospital as we build our program.”
— Dr. Joseph Lamplot [01:33]
He highlights the strategic approach of selecting the strengths of each member hospital to create a robust orthopedic program at Northwest Community Hospital, ensuring that quality care remains paramount despite the consolidation.
Addressing the pervasive issue of staffing and workforce challenges, Dr. Lamplot discusses the rising costs of providing care against the backdrop of stagnant or declining reimbursements. He underscores the critical need for staff retention to mitigate these financial pressures.
“Turnover of anybody, whether it's physicians or staff, is almost a never event. We want to try and minimize that from happening because it ends up costing you a whole lot more than if you're able to keep them.”
— Dr. Joseph Lamplot [02:25]
His strategy focuses on offering competitive salaries and benefits, recognizing that retaining talented staff is more cost-effective than frequent hiring. Dr. Lamplot also notes the growing trend of professionals seeking better work-life balance and career opportunities, which necessitates a comprehensive approach to employee satisfaction.
The conversation shifts to the evolution of outpatient care, particularly the increasing role of Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) in orthopedics. Dr. Lamplot explains how most orthopedic procedures are transitioning to ASCs due to their cost-effectiveness and higher patient satisfaction rates.
“The move to the ASC is something that we're inevitably going to continue seeing.”
— Dr. Joseph Lamplot [03:34]
He further elaborates on the competitive landscape, where patients have numerous high-quality options. To stand out, his organization focuses on maintaining quality, enhancing patient satisfaction, and ensuring quick access to care. This competitive approach is essential in attracting and retaining patients in a market with diverse choices.
Dr. Lamplot highlights several innovative technologies that are transforming healthcare delivery:
AI-Driven Dictation Software:
Efficiency and Work-Life Balance:
“It's basically given me... two hours per day back to myself.”
— Dr. Joseph Lamplot [04:53]
The implementation of AI-driven dictation software has significantly improved operational efficiency and physician quality of life by reducing the time spent on administrative tasks. This advancement allows physicians to focus more on patient care and personal time.
Google My Business for Patient Engagement:
Generating Reviews and Attracting Patients:
“I really think that all physicians should have a Google my business profile that they're active with.”
— Dr. Joseph Lamplot [05:53]
Utilizing Google My Business profiles helps in generating positive patient reviews and attracting new patients. Dr. Lamplot emphasizes the importance of active digital engagement to build and maintain a strong online presence, which is crucial for practice growth in today's digital age.
Dr. Joseph Lamplot provides a rich and engaging overview of the current state and future directions of orthopedic healthcare. From navigating industry consolidation and addressing workforce challenges to embracing the shift towards outpatient care and leveraging innovative technologies, his insights offer valuable guidance for healthcare leaders aiming to enhance both operational efficiency and patient care quality.
Key Takeaways:
For more detailed insights and discussions, listen to the full episode of the Becker’s Healthcare Podcast.