Dr. Martin Roche: Changes in orthopedic care delivery and how device companies are rethinking robotic business models
Becker’s Spine Review features a Q&A with Martin W. Roche, MD, knee surgeon and Director of Hip and Knee Arthroplasty at HSS Florida, who discussed his new role, how orthopedic care delivery is changing, and emerging trends in sensor- and robotic-assisted surgery.
When asked what attracted him to his new role at HSS Florida, Dr. Roche noted, “With the timing of COVID, the fact that we were evolving into a more ambulatory approach for a lot of cases, and with HSS developing a center in Florida, all the pieces aligned. HSS was looking for someone to run its joint program and grow its presence in Florida. I felt it was the perfect time in my career to take this opportunity.”
Dr. Roche explained there is a lot of momentum that will continue to drive outpatient care, particularly if surgeons can continue to show the outcomes are just as good. Surgeons are also being driven by patients, as they are requesting the best technology for the best outcomes, including everything from sensor-assisted surgery to robots. “It's going to be exciting over the next couple of years integrating robots, not only into hospitals, but into ASCs [ambulatory surgery centers],” he said. Dr. Roche continued to say remote patient monitoring with wearable sensors and other communication links are the future. “As patients are going home the same day it's still our role to ensure their recovery goes as seamlessly and as safe as possible. I think you're going to see the use of wearables and different telehealth integration to keep an eye on patients to make sure they're not having any complications along the way.”
“’Robotics’ resonates with patients as the most advanced technology available. I think the next stage, what I would call digital orthopedic healthcare, is going to center on improved real-time connectivity with our patients,” cited Dr. Roche. “The next extension of intraoperative sensors and wearables will be implanting sensors within the implant or joint when you do the surgery. I believe the next evolution of care over the next three to five years is delivering intelligence through data. In five years, I think every instrument we use to perform surgery and every implant we use will be smart — they will be data-producing devices."
Read the full article at Beckersspine.com.
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