In the evolving field of orthopedics, innovation isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a must. With increasing demands on patient outcomes and practice success, forward-thinking orthopedic surgeons are turning to tools like Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) and lifestyle health coaching to revolutionize their care models.
Dr. Keith Berend is one of those leaders. In a recent interview, Dr. Berend shared how these innovations are reshaping not just how his practice delivers care, but also how it stands out in a competitive healthcare landscape.
Why RPM and Lifestyle Coaching Matter in Orthopedic Care
Dr. Berend emphasizes that orthopedic practices are facing growing challenges due to the increasing prevalence of obesity, metabolic dysfunction, and other chronic conditions among patients. These factors significantly impact surgical outcomes, recovery times, and overall patient health. Yet traditional care models often leave a gap when it comes to addressing these issues holistically.
That’s where RPM and lifestyle health coaching come in. By combining data-driven insights with personalized patient support, these tools allow private practices to deliver continuous, impactful care beyond the clinic.
What Makes RPM a Game-Changer
In the interview, Dr. Berend highlights several key benefits of RPM for orthopedic practices:
- Improved Patient Outcomes: RPM enables surgeons to track critical metrics, providing actionable insights that improve pre- and post-operative outcomes.
- Extended Care Beyond the Clinic: Patients receive consistent support through virtual touchpoints, ensuring better engagement and adherence to care plans.
- Practice Differentiation: By offering services that address not just surgical needs but also long-term health and lifestyle factors, practices can stand out in a crowded market.
“We’re offering something that other practices in town aren’t offering, and I think whether it’s word on the street, or whether we capture more people,” said Dr. Berend. “It’s great for the practice, but most importantly it’s great for the patients.”
Lifestyle Health Coaching: Beyond Weight Loss
For Dr. Berend, lifestyle health coaching is about more than just helping patients lose weight. It’s about addressing the underlying habits and conditions that contribute to their overall health. This approach not only optimizes patients for surgery but also empowers them to sustain their health improvements long after recovery.
Patients don’t need another app or a quick fix—they need personalized support alongside them—and that’s what Prescribe FIT’s dedicated health coach care coordinators offer.
“This is a people service,” Dr. Berend states. “We’re not plugging them into an app with some A.I. bot that’s telling them, ‘Don’t eat carbs.’ We’re partnering as a practice with someone that very professionally, and very compassionately, helps our patients that need help.”
Why Now Is the Time for RPM
The orthopedic world is actively debating the role of wearable technologies and RPM in patient care. Dr. Berend recently participated in a thought-provoking debate on this very topic, presenting the case for why these tools are essential for modern orthopedic practices.
While some question whether RPM provides too much data or poses logistical challenges, Dr. Berend’s experience proves otherwise. He describes Prescribe FIT’s Protocol as a scalable RPM solution that enhances patient care while reducing administrative burdens.
Watch the Full Interview
In the full interview, Dr. Berend dives deeper into his journey with RPM and lifestyle coaching, offering valuable insights for orthopedic surgeons looking to modernize their practices.
Whether you’re just beginning to explore RPM or actively integrating it into your practice, this interview provides actionable strategies and inspiration from one of orthopedics’ most innovative leaders.
The future of orthopedics lies in combining cutting-edge technology with patient-centered care. As Dr. Berend demonstrates, embracing RPM and lifestyle coaching isn’t just about keeping up with the times—it’s about transforming the way we care for patients and ensuring lasting success for our practices.
Published on December 12, 2024
