Abstract
PurposeTo describe the trends of orthopedic surgery in Chile since 2004 in terms of the number and gender of surgeons, the incidence of procedures per 100,000 inhabitants (IR), and access by health insurance and type of health center.MethodsA cross-sectional study was designed. Three databases were analyzed: the free access database of the Chilean Department of Statistics and Health Information (DEIS), which had information on all procedures performed in health institutions in Chile from 2004 to 2020. Then, the orthopedic surgeon registry was requested from the National Superintendence of Health (NSH). Finally, the database of the Chilean Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons (SCHOT) was analyzed. Spearman's correlation was used to determine significant trends during the analyzed period.ResultsThe NSH reported 1770 orthopedic surgeons in 2020; 56% were affiliated with SCHOT. An upward trend in the proportion of female orthopedic surgeons was found, from 4.8% in 2004 to 7.6% in 2020. Since 2004, the IR of orthopaedic surgeries has been increasing significantly in both health insurances; the growth in public insurance follows a linear model (R2 = 0.970) of parameters β0 = - 55982.6 (p <0.000) and β1 = 28.02 (p <0.000) while in private insurance, the growth is also linear (R2 = 0.890) but with a greater slope: β0 = - 104136 (p <0.000) and β1 = 52.15 (p <0.000). A significant downward trend was found in the proportion of surgeries performed in the public health network (rho = -0.797, p = 0.0002).ConclusionsThere is a significant increase in the number of orthopedic surgeons and the number of procedures per 100,000 inhabitants. Nevertheless, there is evident inequity in access to orthopedic surgery in Chile and low gender diversity.
Highlights
Orthopedics is a medical specialty that aims to diagnose and treat injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system
The National Superintendence of Health (NSH) reported 1770 orthopedic surgeons in 2020; 56% were affiliated with SCHOT
A significant downward trend was found in the proportion of surgeries performed in the public health network
Summary
Orthopedics is a medical specialty that aims to diagnose and treat injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system. It promotes injury prevention and health status to delay disease progression. There are reports of different ways of immobilization to treat fractures as old as ancient Egypt and old Greece. The modern concept of orthopedics was born from the book "Orthopedia," published in 1741 by Nicholas Andry, a professor from the University of Paris. The term is composed of two Greek words: orthos, which means "straight and free of deformity," and paidios, which means "child." The universal symbol of orthopedics came from the same book, the wooden beam to correct a crooked tree's growth [1]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
