Changing Spine surgery Over the next 20 years, as populations' age, spine surgeons will be challenged to address a different mix of diagnoses and additional comorbidities; such as lumbar spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis. Nearly 25% of people over 65 suffer low back pain. In the US alone this translates into over seven million doctor visits annually. Over the next decade, degenerative spinal conditions are projected to significantly increase pressure on hospitals and primary care offices. More of these older patients however, are expected to have access to advanced spine care and minimally invasive techniques. According to Mr. Malik, "Research is driving advances in surgical techniques as well as new devices and tools, which will expand the treatment options for patients." Takeaways Health providers are beginning to look for new ways to combat the combined challenges of aging populations, shifting comorbidities and projected shortages of doctors. Training is encouraged in surgical specialities where there are shortages and nurses are being trained to conduct initial patient visits. Increasingly, patients are given e-mail access to clinics to determine treatments, computer portals are being used to streamline the entry process to clinics and video explanations of surgical procedures and teir risks are being developed specifically for patients.
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