The U.S. Bone and Joint Initiative (USBJI) will hold a summit on “Best Practices in Patient-centered Musculoskeletal Care,” Nov. 18–19, 2013, at the Washington Court Hotel in Washington, D.C. The conference is the second in a series of biennial summits for the leadership and staff of musculoskeletal healthcare professionals and patient organizations, government officials, and insurance and industry representatives.

The topic of best practices is important and highly relevant in the current climate of healthcare reform. As the cost of musculoskeletal disease in the United States approaches $1 trillion annually and unprecedented changes in the delivery of health care are occurring, the determination of best practices and their delivery in cost-effective, patient-centered programs is key.

The USBJI Best Practices Summit will feature lectures by almost two dozen experts from many different disciplines involved in the care of patients with musculoskeletal disease. Meeting attendees will also have opportunities to participate in discussion and breakout groups focused on implementing best practices in different care settings.

In addition, breakout groups will address the role of advocacy in achieving best practices, decision making, and the use of patient registries to determine best practices. Participants will contribute to the development of a position paper, to be submitted for publication, that articulates priorities and establishes the framework for an action plan to help optimize care and reduce disparities for patients of all ages.

Presenting the keynote address will be AAOS Past President John R. Tongue, MD. James O. Sanders, MD, a member of the AAOS Guidelines Oversight Committee, will lead a session on decision making in best practices. Richard M. Dell, MD, and Laura L. Tosi, MD, will discuss various aspects of fracture liaison services in the treatment of osteoporosis. Baron Lonner, MD, and William C. Watters III, MD, will address the issue of back pain by examining best practices in spine surgery for fusions, scoliosis, and spinal stenosis.

For more information on the 2013 Musculoskeletal Summit, including a registration form, visit www.usbji.org or email usbji@usbji.org