DURANGO, Colo. – Syndicom has received international attention from a study conducted on its SpineConnect Collaborative Community platform, which verifies that surgeons are now able to more efficiently and effectively communicate with one another through SpineConnect than ever before.

SpineConnect is a free web-based service that allows spine surgeons to share knowledge and increase the potential to dramatically improve patient outcomes. The study, “The Emergence of Internet-Based Collaboration in Surgical Decision Making,” was presented at several international academic spine meetings including: the Lumbar Research Society in Chicago in April, 2008; SpineWeek in Geneva, Switzerland in May, 2008; and the American Orthopaedic Association (AOA) and Canadian Orthopaedic Association combined annual meeting held in Quebec City, Canada in early June. It will next be presented at the North American Spine Society (NASS) in Toronto, Canada this coming October.

“Syndicom is providing a much-needed, convenient and seamless way for surgeons to securely interact - in what was previously cumbersome, time-consuming, and costly,” said Paul Slosar, Jr., M.D., orthopaedic spine surgeon at SpineCare Medical Group in Daly City, Calif. and lead author of the study. “Our traditional ways of collaborating included sitting down with colleagues who physically brought cases and x-ray images to conferences - you can only imagine how difficult and lengthy that process can be. Something as valuable as this is very needed and long overdue.”

According to Slosar, surgeons have tried to rely on email, but it has proven challenging to organize and does not provide a secure interactive environment like Syndicom’s SpineConnect. He suggests the study proves, as does colleague feedback, that SpineConnect elevates surgeon interaction and encourages more surgeons to communicate on a global level by breaking down barriers, including time-zones.

“There are surgeons in underserved areas who do not have access to seminars, training, and education,” said Slosar. “We had surgeons from China who believe this platform would be an incredibly valuable tool, making collaborating downstream not only easier but actually possible.”

Slosar noted that SpineConnect is also fostering communication between U.S. surgeons and those from other countries who are seeing similar cases.

“It offers patients the benefits of receiving multiple opinions without the cost, while still maintaining anonymity,” said Slosar. “Surgeons can securely post a case, collaborate on it with other surgeons then counsel their patients with a higher degree of confidence based on peer recommendations.”

Co-author of the study, Jim Youssef, M.D., spine surgeon and senior partner at SpineColorado in Durango, said response to the study is very positive.

“Current mechanisms of interaction with our peers are limited,” said Youssef. “Because of this collaborative platform and the ability to interact with other experienced surgeons, I’m more comfortable making more confident surgical decisions when considering new technologies or when faced with challenging cases. Simply put - more minds equal better results.”

Study results suggest two primary ways surgeons use the SpineConnect Web platform—actively and passively. Ninety percent of the active surgeons, and 68 percent of the passive users, reported that the web platform improved their ability to practice surgery. Sixty-eight percent of surgeons surveyed stated online discussions led them to consider alternative methods or approaches to cases. Thirty-four percent of surgeons actually altered their surgical planning and decisions after reviewing comments posted on the site. To review the complete study, go to www.syndicom.com/medical-device-company.

The study was conducted by Zoomerang on behalf of lead author, Paul J. Slosar, M.D. (Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon, SpineCare Medical Group, Daly City, Calif.) with assistance from Darrel S. Brodke, M.D. (Professor and Vice Chair, Department of Orthopaedics, University of Utah), and Jim A. Youssef, M.D. (Fellowship-Trained Orthopedic Spine Surgeon, Senior Partner-SpineColorado, Durango, Colo.).

Syndicom provides an array of web-based tools that allow medical professionals, medical device manufacturers, and other professional communities to work together and solve problems in a timely, efficient and economical way. The company’s set of proprietary collaborative technology products fosters the discovery of new treatment plans, more effective surgical techniques and life-saving medical devices. Syndicom’s advanced communication tools let physicians around the world share challenging patient cases and respond immediately to colleagues’ questions. Also, Syndicom’s innovative platform gives medical companies the ability to leverage and extend the knowledge and skills of physicians in the development of new medical technologies and devices. To learn more visit www.syndicom.com.

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