Optimizing the Orthopaedic Consult

Providing orthopaedic call coverage is a core requirement for orthopaedic surgery residents. Developing proper call habits and routines during residency is critical to becoming an attending surgeon who provides high-quality call coverage and consultations without difficulty. Although patient acuity and call duration and frequency may vary among rotations and hospitals, the fundamentals remain the same. Because personal health and content knowledge are critical for success, physical and mental preparation is done in advance. Using a stepwise approach for answering calls, taking a history, performing a physical examination, interpreting studies, and performing procedures can improve the quality and efficiency of patient care. Standard practices can be used to improve the process of scheduling urgent and emergent surgery or establishing outpatient follow-up. When the complexity or volume of patient care exceeds one's capabilities, it is critical to know when and how to ask for help. Clear communication is essential for safe and effective transitions of care and when presenting patients to attending surgeons. A call shift can also serve as a learning experience by reading on topics as each consult is completed, teaching others, and following up on patient outcomes after the call shift.