Comparison of the effect of medical assistants versus certified athletic trainers on patient volumes and revenue generation in a sports medicine practice.
BACKGROUND
Research has shown increases in efficiency and productivity by using physician extenders (PEs) in medical practices. Certified athletic trainers (ATCs) that work as PEs in primary care sports medicine and orthopaedic practices improve clinic efficiency.


OBJECTIVE
When compared with a medical assistant (MA), the use of an ATC as a PE in a primary care sports medicine practice will result in an increase in patient volume, charges, and collections.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
For 12 months, patient encounters, charges, and collections were obtained for the practices of 2 primary care sports medicine physicians. Each physician was assisted by an ATC for 6 months and by an MA for 6 months. Eighty full clinic days were examined for each physician.


RESULTS
Statistically significant increases were found in all measured parameters for the ATC compared with the MA. Patient encounters increased 18% to 22% per day, and collections increased by 10% to 60% per day.


CONCLUSIONS
ATCs can optimize orthopaedic sports medicine practice by increasing patient encounters, charges, and collections.


CONCLUSIONS
Orthopaedic practices can be more efficient by using ATCs or MAs as PEs.
St Luke's Sports Medicine, Boise, Idaho.
Forrest Q
FQ
Pecha
Emory Orthopaedic and Spine Center, Atlanta, Georgia.
John W
JW
Xerogeanes
Emory Orthopaedic and Spine Center, Atlanta, Georgia.
Spero G
SG
Karas
Resurgens Orthopaedics, Atlanta, Georgia.
Megan E
ME
Himes
Emory Orthopaedic and Spine Center, Atlanta, Georgia.
Brandon A
BA
Mines
athletic trainer; collections; efficiency; physician extender; productivity