Peer-to-Peer Collaboration Adds Value for Surgical Colleagues

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Medical Informatics
• Surgical Education

Background:

• Peer-to-peer advisory is common in academic orthopedic surgery but challenging in private practice.
• Surgeons often face complex cases without readily available peer consultation in private settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of peer-to-peer mentorship on surgeon decision-making and patient care.
• To assess the utility of a secure group messaging system for discussing complex adult joint reconstruction cases.

Main Methods:

• A HIPAA-compliant secure messaging system was used by five orthopedic surgeons (2 private practice, 3 academic) from 2013-2016.
• 283 complex cases involving hip, knee, ankle, shoulder, and pelvis surgeries were discussed.
• Data included patient demographics, clinical findings, imaging, diagnoses, and treatment plans.

Main Results:

• An average of 2.4 peers commented on each case, with responses in 97% of instances.
• In 67% of cases, alternative treatment plans were recommended and implemented.
• The system ensured no Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) violations.

Conclusions:

• Peer-to-peer advisory via secure messaging significantly impacts patient care for orthopedic surgeons.
• This technology-driven approach offers substantial improvements, especially for surgeons outside large academic centers.
• Rapid feedback facilitates better decision-making for complex orthopedic cases.