Despite differences in the structure of health care delivery systems, health care spending continues to outpace gross domestic product (GDP) and average wage globally. This highlights the stark... Show moreDespite differences in the structure of health care delivery systems, health care spending continues to outpace gross domestic product (GDP) and average wage globally. This highlights the stark reality that health systems today are – in many cases – financially unsustainable. Further, most health care services today are paid for via a fee-for-service or payment for each service provided mechanism, which does not ensure a focus on optimal health outcomes for patients; this includes clinical outcomes most important to them, such as function, pain, andquality of life. As such, bold reforms are needed to better align incentives to “bend” the cost curve and to ensure high-quality health care and the best possible patient outcomes. This dissertation includes scientific studies that highlight how the core principles of value-based health care, which focuses on maximizing the outcomes achieved per dollar spent, may be able to begin to address some of the issues plaguing our strained health care delivery systems globally, including within orthopaedic surgery. Show less
Purpose - The aim of this prospective randomised controlled study was to compare wear characteristics and functional outcome between deep-dished mobile bearing (MB) and fixed bearing (FB) cemented... Show morePurpose - The aim of this prospective randomised controlled study was to compare wear characteristics and functional outcome between deep-dished mobile bearing (MB) and fixed bearing (FB) cemented total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We hypothesised that deep-dished MB reduces polyethylene wear and improves patient-reported outcome measures.MethodsA total of 50 patients were randomised to receive a MB or FB tibia component of the same cemented TKA design. Patients were evaluated over a 5-year follow-up period. Medial and lateral wear were assessed using model-based Roentgen Stereophotogrammetric Analysis (RSA) and compared with the direct postoperative minimal joint space measurement. Functional outcome was assessed by the clinician-derived KSS and OKS, WOMAC, LEAS, and FJS-12. All data were derived using a general linear mixed model.Results - At 5-year follow-up, decreased wear in the MB compared to the FB group was observed on the lateral side (0.07 +/- 0.17 mm, p = 0.026), but not on the medial side (0.31 +/- 0.055 mm, p = 0.665). Functional outcomes improved with a statistical significant effect over time, with no significant differences between groups (all p > 0.17).ConclusionThis model-based RSA study with 5-year follow-up showed that cemented deep-dished MB reduced lateral polyethylene wear as compared to FB in a single TKA system, whilst clinical outcomes were comparable. Longer follow-up is needed to establish clinical implications of these altered wear patterns and determine type of wear. Show less
Background: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) can help predict clinical outcomes and improve shared clinical decision-making discussions. There remains a paucity of research assessing how... Show moreBackground: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) can help predict clinical outcomes and improve shared clinical decision-making discussions. There remains a paucity of research assessing how the use of PROMs may drive improved patient experience and patient activation. Methods: New foot and ankle patients completed PROMIS physical function (PF), pain interference (PI), and depression assessments. Patients were then randomized to viewing and discussing their PROMIS scores with their surgeon or not. Following the clinic visit, patients completed a series of Clinician & Group Survey-Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CG-CAHPS) questions and the Patient Activation Measure (PAM). Responses to the CG-CAHPS questions and PAM were compared between the 2 groups and after clustering on surgeon. Potential interaction effects by social deprivation were also explored. Results: After enrolling patients but removing those lost to follow-up or with missing data, 97 and 116 patients remained in the intervention control cohorts, respectively. No difference was found in CG-CAHPS responses nor PAM scores between the 2 groups (P > .05). All surgeons were highly rated by all patients. When clustered by surgeon, intervention subjects were less likely to indicate "top box" scores for the understanding domain of the CG-CAHPS question (OR 0.51, P < .001) and had decreased odds of high patient activation compared to control subjects (OR 0.67; P = .005). Among the most socially disadvantaged patients, there was no difference in control and intervention subjects in their likelihood of having high patient activation (P = .09). Conclusion: Highly rated foot and ankle surgeons who show and discuss PROM results may not improve patient experience or activation and may, in fact, decrease understanding or patient activation in select populations. Future work is needed to determine when PROM discussions are most beneficial and how best to present PROMs data, as we suspect that how the information was presented-and not the use of PROMs-resulted in our findings. Health literacy tools and/or communication training may better engage different patient groups regarding PROMs. Show less
Background: A tourniquet is often used to create a bloodless surgical field during total knee arthroplasty (TKA). It is still debated whether tourniquet use improves durability of cemented implant... Show moreBackground: A tourniquet is often used to create a bloodless surgical field during total knee arthroplasty (TKA). It is still debated whether tourniquet use improves durability of cemented implant fixation and thereby prosthesis survival. Some studies showed tourniquet application has a negative impact on post-operative wound healing, pain and function, whilst other publications contradict this. However, no previous studies evaluated the effect of tourniquet use on prosthesis survival and mid-term functional outcome specifically. Methods: In this longitudinal observational cohort study 115 patients (116 knees) undergoing TKA without tourniquet use were compared with 374 patients (395 knees) with a tourniquet. Prosthesis survival, revision risks and complications were analysed through chart review after a mean follow-up period of 5.3 years. Additionally, patient reported outcome measures regarding knee functionality and health status (PROMs; KOOS, OKS, EQ-5D, SF-12) were collected prospectively. Results: Both groups had an equal overall re-operation rate of 4.3% and showed similar revision rates for aseptic loosening as well as for other causes. In the tourniquet group a higher complication rate (14.7% vs 10.3%) was observed. The majority was urinary retention requiring bladder catheterization. Both groups showed comparable, improved post-operative functional results compared to the pre-operative state for all PROMs at all time points. Conclusions: In this study TKA without tourniquet use yielded similar mid-term results as TKA with tourniquet use with regard to prosthesis survival, reoperations, complications, knee functionality and health status.(c) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Show less
In the last decade, through Clinical Outcome Assessment, and especially measurement of patient-reported outcome measures (PROM)s, we, among others, have initiated a shift in focus from meningioma... Show moreIn the last decade, through Clinical Outcome Assessment, and especially measurement of patient-reported outcome measures (PROM)s, we, among others, have initiated a shift in focus from meningioma tumors to meningioma patients. In various studies we describe an improvement in surgical approaches for skull base meningioma. Nevertheless, patient functioning remains impaired in the long-term. We describe that on average nine years after treatment or diagnosis patients still suffer from participation restrictions in social situations with their friends, family, and at work. Often, at the outpatient clinic, we do not pay enough attention to these problems, especially as patient visits become less frequent in the long-term. Importantly, functioning of patients and their informal caregivers (i.e., close relatives/friends) is strongly interdependent. Moreover, patients and healthcare providers find different outcomes and care processes relevant. This underlines the importance of implementation of PROMs in clinical practice. The studies in this thesis suggest that meningioma care trajectories could benefit from the use of 1) case managers guiding patients and their informal caregivers, 2) implementation of PROMs, and 3) prediction models assisting in the identification of individual patients at high risk of long-term lowered functioning. Ideally, these trajectories should follow the value-based healthcare (VBHC) principles. Show less
Background: There is increased demand for valid, reliable, and responsive patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) to evaluate treatment for Achilles tendon rupture, but not all PROMs currently in... Show moreBackground: There is increased demand for valid, reliable, and responsive patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) to evaluate treatment for Achilles tendon rupture, but not all PROMs currently in use are reliable and responsive for this condition. Purpose: To evaluate the measurement properties of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function (PROMIS PF) compared with other PROMs used after treatment for acute Achilles tendon rupture. Study Design: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. Methods: A retrospective cohort study with a follow-up questionnaire was performed. All adult patients with an acute Achilles tendon rupture between June 2016 and June 2018 with a minimum 12-month follow-up were eligible for inclusion. Functional outcome was assessed using the PROMIS PF computerized adaptive test (CAT), Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) Activities of Daily Living (ADL), FAAM-Sports, and Achilles Tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS). Pearson correlation (r) was used to assess the correlations between PROMs. Absolute and relative floor and ceiling effects were calculated. Results: In total, 103 patients were included (mean age, 44.7 years; 74% male); 82 patients (79.6%) underwent operative repair, while 21 patients (20.4%) underwent nonoperative management. The mean time between treatment and collection of PROMs was 25.3 months (range, 15-36 months). The mean scores were 55.4 +/- 9.2 (PROMIS PF), 92.9 +/- 12.2 (FAAM-ADL), 77.7 +/- 22.9 (FAAM-Sports), and 83.0 +/- 19.4 (ATRS). The ATRS was correlated with FAAM-ADL (r = 0.80; 95% CI, 0.72-0.86; P < .001) and FAAM-Sports (r = 0.86; 95% CI, 0.80-0.90; P < .001). The PROMIS PF was correlated with the FAAM-ADL (r = 0.66; 95% CI, 0.53-0.75; P < .001), FAAM-Sports (r = 0.65; 95% CI, 0.53-0.75; P < .001), and ATRS (r = 0.69; 95% CI, 0.58-0.78; P < .001). The PROMIS PF did not show absolute floor or ceiling effects (0%). The FAAM-ADL (35.9%), FAAM-Sports (15.8%), and ATRS (20.4%) had substantial absolute ceiling effects. Conclusion: The PROMIS PF, FAAM-ADL, and FAAM-Sports all showed a moderate to high mutual correlation with the ATRS. Only the PROMIS PF avoided substantial floor and ceiling effects. The results suggest that the PROMIS PF CAT is a valid, reliable, and perhaps the most responsive tool to evaluate patient outcomes after treatment for an Achilles tendon rupture. Show less
Poorter, J.J. de; Beunder, T.J.; Gareb, B.; Oostenbroek, H.J.; Bessems, G.H.J.M.; Lugt, J.C.T. van der; ... ; Sande, M.A.J. van der 2016