The AAOS, the American Medical Association (AMA), and more than 70 other medical specialty societies are working on a comprehensive multispecialty survey of America’s physician practices. The Gallup Organization will conduct the Physician Practice Information survey among a representative sample of practices in each of the participating specialties.

The survey will collect up-to-date information on physician practice characteristics to positively influence national decision makers; data will also be used to develop and refine AMA and AAOS policies.

The project explores both the clinical and business side of medical practice. This will enable the nation’s policymakers to learn what is truly involved in running a practice that can provide patients with expert care and do so in a sustainable way.

A small section in this study pertains to practice expenses and the amounts that are attributable to you. Please encourage your staff to make these numbers available to the Gallup interviewer. This is a vital part of the research, and accurate and complete data are needed. This information remains confidential; Gallup does not identify any individuals or entities participating in this research to any of the participating organizations.

The Physician Practice Information survey is an important and necessary vehicle for positive change. Please watch for it and do your part in completing it in a thorough and accurate manner if yours is among the practices randomly selected to represent orthopaedics.