title: The current medical practice of the pediatric orthopaedic surgeon in North America.
abstract: Musculoskeletal disorders in children are common and comprise 20% to 30% of the complaints observed by primary care physicians. Most primary care physicians prefer to refer patients with pediatric musculoskeletal conditions to the pediatric orthopaedic surgeon; most of whom are treated nonoperatively. Pediatric orthopaedic surgeons are well trained to provide efficient, cost-effective, and definitive quality care. This article supports the supposition that pediatric orthopaedic surgeons are the primary care physicians for children with musculoskeletal disorders. This article focuses on the primary clinical responsibilities of the pediatric orthopaedic surgeon, describes the value of this practice, and contrasts their responsibilities from that of other orthopaedic subspecialties.
authors.affiliation: Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA. James.McCarthy@cchmc.org
authors.forename: James J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: McCarthy
authors.forename: Douglas G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Armstrong
authors.forename: Joseph P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Davey
authors.forename: Howard R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Epps
authors.forename: Joseph A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Gerardi
authors.forename: Jeffrey S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kanel
authors.forename: Charles T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Mehlman
authors.forename: James W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Roach
authors.forename: Richard M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Schwend
authors.forename: Brian G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: W Timothy
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Ward
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy; D009656:North America; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012017:Referral and Consultation