Outcomes of surgeons who have undergone spine surgery.
The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence, characteristics, and outcomes of spine surgery among a membership of American orthopaedic surgeons with a particular interest in spine care [North American Spine Society (NASS)] and a general membership of Canadian orthopaedic surgeons [Canadian Orthopaedic Association (COA)]. A 25-item multiple choice questionnaire was developed and mailed to both memberships. The COA response rate was 45.9%; the NASS response rate was 45.8%. Of those who replied, 17.2% had undergone spinal surgery, and the results differed significantly between the COA at 12.9% and NASS at 21.9%. As a percentage of the total mailing, 7.7% had undergone spinal surgery. These results differed significantly between the COA at 5.9% and NASS at 9.7%. Although the surgery rate for NASS respondents was more than 1.5 times that of COA respondents, they had strikingly similar outcomes. They are a highly motivated, self-employed group who missed little work before and after having surgery.
Hall
H
H
Canadian Back Institute, Toronto, Ontario.
McIntosh
G
G
Melles
T
T
White
A A
AA
D001416:Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D002170:Canada; D017586:Diskectomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D009985:Orthopedics; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013131:Spine / Q000601:surgery*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States