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DESIGN PHILOSOPHY

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Design Philosophy

BALANCE

Balance is the core of our patient education platform.  Our courses are designed to maintain patient engagement while disseminating information that influences the perioperative experience, satisfaction, safety, and outcomes.

THE PATIENT
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What happens before, during, and after orthopedic surgeries can be complex - especially to patients. Guiding patients through the surgical process involves both art and science. Information retention is directly related to the interest of the patient. By breaking up our educational modules into manageable and engaging sections, we capture and maintain the attention of the patient. 

THE MEDICAL SYSTEM
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Our educational message has three targets. First, we want patients to feel comfortable with their condition and the process of surgery.  Second, we set expectations - a critical determinant of postoperative satisfaction. Third, we deliver research-driven education that affects outcomes and safety. If these three goals are accomplished, everyone benefits: the patient, the surgeon, the medical facility, and the payor.

WHY EDUCATE PATIENTS ONLINE?
A better question is: why do it any other way? We live in an age where patients are computer and internet savvy. They seek information online whether we provide it or not. At OrthoSkool, our goal is to give patients what they are seeking and to deliver a clearer, smarter, and more effective message.  This information is available through the entire process of surgery - from preop planning to the recovery period. When this material is available online, the family and friends caring for our patients also have access. Most importantly, when the information is coming from a trusted source, medical providers and hospitals can feel confident that their patients understand their condition and have the opportunity to maximize their outcome.
LITERATURE SUPPORT
ONLINE PATIENT EDUCATION IS BETTER THAN TRADITIONAL METHODS
Paper handouts, videos, one-on-one education, and classes are so 20 years ago...
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  • Keulers, B.J., et al., Can face-to-face patient education be replaced by computer-based patient education? A randomised trial. Patient Educ Couns, 2007. 67(1-2): p. 176-82.

  • Dekkers, T., et al., Web-Based Patient Education in Orthopedics: Systematic Review. J Med Internet Res, 2018. 20(4): p. e143.

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EXISTING ONLINE PATIENT EDUCATION MATERIALS ARE TOO COMPLEX FOR PATIENTS 
This includes AAOS, implant manufacturer websites, and other patient education sites.  We aim to correct this.
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  • Yi, M.M., et al., Readability of Patient Education Materials From the Web Sites of Orthopedic Implant Manufacturers. J Arthroplasty, 2017. 32(12): p. 3568-3572.

  • Sabharwal, S., S. Badarudeen, and S. Unes Kunju, Readability of online patient education materials from the AAOS web site. Clin Orthop Relat Res, 2008. 466(5): p. 1245-50.

  • Yi, P.H., et al., Readability of arthroscopy-related patient education materials from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and Arthroscopy Association of North America Web sites. Arthroscopy, 2013. 29(6): p. 1108-12.

  • Polishchuk, D.L., J. Hashem, and S. Sabharwal, Readability of online patient education materials on adult reconstruction Web sites. J Arthroplasty, 2012. 27(5): p. 716-9.

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PATIENT EDUCATION DECREASES THE OVERALL COST OF CARE
One of the hottest topics in orthopedic care today can be combatted with a simple solution: better education.
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  • Stone, A.H., J.H. MacDonald, and P.J. King, The Effect of Psychiatric Diagnosis and Psychotropic Medication on Outcomes Following Total Hip and Total Knee Arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty, 2019.

  • Siddiqi, A., et al., Cost Savings in a Surgeon-Directed BPCI Program for Total Joint Arthroplasty. Surg Technol Int, 2018. 33: p. 319-325.

  • Pelt, C.E., et al., Improving Value in Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Comprehensive Patient Education and Management Program Decreases Discharge to Post-Acute Care Facilities and Post-Operative Complications. J Arthroplasty, 2018. 33(1): p. 14-18.

  • Schroer, W.C., et al., Modifiable Risk Factors in Primary Joint Arthroplasty Increase 90-Day Cost of Care. J Arthroplasty, 2018. 33(9): p. 2740-2744.

  • Jones, S., et al., Pre-operative patient education reduces length of stay after knee joint arthroplasty. Ann R Coll Surg Engl, 2011. 93(1): p. 71-5.

  • Courtney, P.M., et al., Are Bundled Payments a Viable Reimbursement Model for Revision Total Joint Arthroplasty? Clin Orthop Relat Res, 2016. 474(12): p. 2714-2721.

  • Keswani, A., et al., Discharge Destination After Total Joint Arthroplasty: An Analysis of Postdischarge Outcomes, Placement Risk Factors, and Recent Trends. J Arthroplasty, 2016. 31(6): p. 1155-1162.

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EDUCATION IMPROVES THE PATIENT EXPERIENCE
Patients' perception of their care experience is the ticket to your future business.
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  • Johansson, K., et al., Preoperative education for orthopaedic patients: systematic review. J Adv Nurs, 2005. 50(2): p. 212-23.

  • Kruzik, N., Benefits of preoperative education for adult elective surgery patients. AORN J, 2009. 90(3): p. 381-7.

  • Sjoling, M., et al., The impact of preoperative information on state anxiety, postoperative pain and satisfaction with pain management. Patient Educ Couns, 2003. 51(2): p. 169-76.

  • Lane, J.V., et al., Factors that shape the patient's hospital experience and satisfaction with lower limb arthroplasty: an exploratory thematic analysis. BMJ Open, 2016. 6(5): p. e010871.

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EDUCATION LEADS TO IMPROVED PATIENT SATISFACTION
Improving patient satisfaction starts with setting realistic patient expectations.
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  • Sjoling, M., et al., The impact of preoperative information on state anxiety, postoperative pain and satisfaction with pain management. Patient Educ Couns, 2003. 51(2): p. 169-76.

  • Lane, J.V., et al., Factors that shape the patient's hospital experience and satisfaction with lower limb arthroplasty: an exploratory thematic analysis. BMJ Open, 2016. 6(5): p. e010871.

  • Ghomrawi, H.M.K., et al., Preoperative Expectations Associated With Postoperative Dissatisfaction After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Cohort Study. J Am Acad Orthop Surg, 2019.

  • Clement, N.D., et al., Three groups of dissatisfied patients exist after total knee arthroplasty: early, persistent, and late. Bone Joint J, 2018. 100-B(2): p. 161-169.

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EDUCATION PROMOTES PATIENT SAFETY
When patient safety is improved, everyone wins.
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  • Clarke, H.D., et al., Preoperative patient education reduces in-hospital falls after total knee arthroplasty. Clin Orthop Relat Res, 2012. 470(1): p. 244-9.

  • Menendez, M.E., D. Ring, and A. Jawa, Inpatient falls after shoulder arthroplasty. J Shoulder Elbow Surg, 2017. 26(1): p. 14-19.

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A QUALITY EDUCATION PROGRAM MITIGATES COMPLICATIONS AND PROMOTES BETTER OUTCOMES
By targeting modifiable risk factors, we can decrease complication rates.
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  • Debbi, E.M., et al., Smoking and Total Hip Arthroplasty: Increased Inpatient Complications, Costs, and Length of Stay. J Arthroplasty, 2019.

  • Thompson, R., et al., Arthrofibrosis After Total Knee Arthroplasty: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Management. Orthop Clin North Am, 2019. 50(3): p. 269-279.

  • Yajnik, M., et al., Patient education and engagement in postoperative pain management decreases opioid use following knee replacement surgery. Patient Educ Couns, 2019. 102(2): p. 383-387.

  • Schroer, W.C., et al., 2019 Chitranjan S. Ranawat Award: Elective joint arthroplasty outcomes improve in malnourished patients with nutritional intervention: a prospective population analysis demonstrates a modifiable risk factor. Bone Joint J, 2019. 101-B(7_Supple_C): p. 17-21.

  • Eka, A. and A.F. Chen, Patient-related medical risk factors for periprosthetic joint infection of the hip and knee. Ann Transl Med, 2015. 3(16): p. 233.

  • Best, M.J., et al., Alcohol Misuse is an Independent Risk Factor for Poorer Postoperative Outcomes Following Primary Total Hip and Total Knee Arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty, 2015. 30(8): p. 1293-8.

  • Chrastil, J., et al., Is Hemoglobin A1c or Perioperative Hyperglycemia Predictive of Periprosthetic Joint Infection or Death Following Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty? J Arthroplasty, 2015. 30(7): p. 1197-202.

  • Kheir, M.M., et al., Postoperative Blood Glucose Levels Predict Infection After Total Joint Arthroplasty. J Bone Joint Surg Am, 2018. 100(16): p. 1423-1431.

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