The Effect of Price on Surgeons’ Choice of Implants: A Randomized Controlled Survey

Amy S. Wasterlain, Eitan Melamed, Raj Karia, John T. Capo, Ricardo Bello, Julie Adams, A. J.H. Vochteloo, Andrew John Powell, Alexander Marcus, Platz Andreas, Anna N. Miller, A. B.Arne Berner, Burak Altintas, Benjamin W. Sears, Ryan P. Calfee, Carl Ekholm, C. H. Fernandes, Giuseppe Porcellini, Clifford Jones, Constanza L. Moreno-SerranoChad Manke, Brett D. Crist, Daniel Haverkamp, Doug Hanel, Milind Merchant, Daniel A. Rikli, Mohamed Shafi, Juan M. Patiño, Scott F. Duncan, Efsthathios G. Ballas, Edward Harvey, E. T. Walbeehm, Evan D. Schumer, Peter J. Evans, Fabio Suarez, Francisco Lopez-Gonzalez, Franz Josef Seibert, Gregory DeSilva, Grant J. Bayne, T. G. Guitton, Michael Nancollas, Lewis B. Lane, Stephen K. Westly, Harold Alonso Villamizar, Ippokratis Pountos, Eric Hofmeister, Jan Biert, J. Carel Goslings, Julius Bishop, Marc Swiontkowski, and the, Science of Variation Group, Science of Variation Group

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

41 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose Surgical costs are under scrutiny and surgeons are being held increasingly responsible for cost containment. In some instances, implants are the largest component of total procedure cost, yet previous studies reveal that surgeons’ knowledge of implant prices is poor. Our study aims to (1) understand drivers behind implant selection and (2) assess whether educating surgeons about implant costs affects implant selection. Methods We surveyed 226 orthopedic surgeons across 6 continents. The survey presented 8 clinical cases of upper extremity fractures with history, radiographs, and implant options. Surgeons were randomized to receive either a version with each implant's average selling price (“price-aware” group), or a version without prices (“price-naïve” group). Surgeons selected a surgical implant and ranked factors affecting implant choice. Descriptive statistics and univariate, multivariable, and subgroup analyses were performed. Results For cases offering implants within the same class (eg, volar locking plates), price-awareness reduced implant cost by 9% to 11%. When offered different models of distal radius volar locking plates, 25% of price-naïve surgeons selected the most expensive plate compared with only 7% of price-aware surgeons. For cases offering different classes of implants (eg, plate vs external fixator), there was no difference in implant choice between price-aware and price-naïve surgeons. Familiarity with the implant was the most common reason for choosing an implant in both groups (35% vs 46%). Price-aware surgeons were more likely to rank cost as a factor (29% vs 21%). Conclusions Price awareness significantly influences surgeons’ choice of a specific model within the same implant class. Merely including prices with a list of implants leads surgeons to select less expensive implants. This implies that an untapped opportunity exists to reduce surgical expenditures simply by enhancing surgeons’ cost awareness. Type of study/level of evidence Economic/Decision Analyses I.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)593-601.e6
JournalJournal of Hand Surgery
Volume42
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2017

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 American Society for Surgery of the Hand

Keywords

  • Cost
  • implant
  • price
  • surgeon
  • survey

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