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Topic:

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Issue:

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Category:

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Title:

2015–2021 Industry Payments to Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgeons: Analysis of Trends and Characteristics of Top-earning Surgeons

Author:

Noe, McKenna C. BS; Kaji, Ellie BS; Thomas, George MD; Warren, Jonathan R. MD; Schwend, Richard M. MD

Journal:

Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics

Date:

March 2024

Reference:

44(3): p e303-e309, DOI: 10.1097/BPO.0000000000002602

Level Of Evidence:

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# of Patients:

419

Study Type:

Retrospective cohort analysis

Location:

United States

Summary:

The study analyzes trends in industry payments to pediatric orthopaedic surgeons from 2015 to 2021, exploring correlations between payments, surgeon characteristics, and regional variations.

Methods:

Payments were evaluated from the Open Payments Database (2015–2021). Surgeon characteristics (h-index, gender, region) and payment trends were compared across percentile groups. Payment categories were analyzed for changes over time and regional distribution.

Exclusions:

Not specified

Results:

Payments rose by 125% from 2015 to 2021, with most categories decreasing between 2019 and 2021 due to the pandemic. Higher payments were associated with surgeons in the Pacific region and those with higher h-indices. Men received slightly higher median payments compared to women in 2021.

Conclusions:

Industry payments to pediatric orthopaedic surgeons have significantly increased since 2015. The SARS-CoV-19 pandemic likely impacted certain categories of payments. Regional location and academic productivity (h-index) were significant predictors of higher industry payments. Gender differences in payments were minimal at higher percentiles.

Relevance:

Limitations:

Perspective:

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