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Tomaino Arm Care Network

Dr. Tomaino's Blog

Tomaino Care: What does this mean?

May 2nd, 2010
This week I was reminded of what might be in jeopardy in the future as new health care policy is implemented. I saw a 72 yo woman who was seeing me because of severe shoulder pain caused by osteoarthritis. She had arthroscopic surgery allegedly to "clean things up," but was still having pain and stiffness. Her xrays indeed revealed severe loss of cartilage. In my mind the liklihood that an arthroscopic approach would have helped was slim to none, but she tells me that it was advised. Most alarming is that she told me that her surgeon never actually touched her.....never examined her. She even joked that she was not entirely sure that he did the surgery.

Hard to beleive, but, I am hearing comments like these more frequently-----I suspect because physican extenders like PA's, and, at University practices, residents and fellows, are being leveraged, increasingly, to expand "capacity". Simple equation----demand for service exceeds supply. This also results in increasing wait times both for a 1st appointment, as well as a return that has not been anticipated. Indeed, Urgent Care Centers at some Orthopaedic Practices are being used to accomodate the overflow!!

This all may be a reality, BUT it is my hope that we will never jeopardize the trust our patients have in us, or the Quality of our offering by not resonating with them-----which means examining, listening, and explaining.

At Tomaino Orthopaedic Care, TOMAINO CARE is meant to reflect a different brand than what is becoming the status quo. We may not always get it right, but it is our goal. And, if during the office visit, all questions are not answered, I am available by email after hours. So, having my name on the door has allowed me to practice in a way that allows me to avoid the all-too-frequent complaints of poor access to the doctor. As healthcare becomes available to all--------I for one hope that the qulaity of the offering....the Art and the Science-------is not jeopardized.

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