Add topic to email alerts
Receive an email when new articles are posted on
Please provide your email address to receive an email when new articles are posted on .
”
data-action=”subscribe”>
Subscribe
We were unable to process your request. Please try again later. If you continue to have this issue please contact customerservice@slackinc.com.
Back to Healio
Orthopedic surgery has evolved in the last 30 years from open procedures to arthroscopic surgery to minimally invasive surgery and outpatient surgery, to biologic augmentation, and most recently, to robotics and augmented reality.
Each advancement has demanded adaptation, and those who embraced change have thrived. Today, we face a new imperative that will transform orthopedics beyond previous innovations: artificial intelligence.
Revolutionizing orthopedics
AI is currently revolutionizing orthopedics from diagnostics to surgical precision. Machine learning algorithms detect subtle fractures on radiographs, predict osteoarthritis progression on radiographic studies and forecast postoperative complications. Natural language processing can assist with documenting patient interactions as a scribe and extracting insights from patient records.
AI-driven robotics enhance implant accuracy and precision in joint replacements and spine surgery, with continued expansion to other joints. Beyond the OR, AI streamlines scheduling, billing and patient communication, and boosts practice efficiency.
These tools are not futuristic. They are here and integrated into imaging software, electronic medical records and surgical systems. Now is not the time to stay on the sidelines, worried about AI’s complexity or skeptical of its value because previous innovations may not have lived up to their original promises.
AI adoption is accelerating and often propelled by younger surgeons, innovative practices and societal changes. If experienced clinicians do not embrace AI, we risk becoming obsolete and being replaced by surgeons who routinely incorporate AI-based technology into every aspect of practice.
Practical prompt engineering
One skill crucial to unlocking AI’s transformative power with large language models is practical prompt engineering. In simple terms, prompt engineering refers to crafting detailed and well-formed questions that lead to the most accurate responses or outputs. By formulating context-rich questions, we can achieve straightforward answers and create opportunities for new content, ideas and insights.
Prompt engineering does not require coding expertise. It only requires a well-developed clinical acumen. A well-constructed prompt transforms AI from a generic tool into an intellectual partner that enhances diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities.
For example, consider a young athlete facing an unusual problem, such as a latissimus dorsi tendon injury. A vague AI query like “Analyze shoulder MRI” yields broad results that will be unlikely to enhance understanding. However, a targeted prompt, such as “Interpret the right shoulder MRI for a young male pitcher with a recent latissimus dorsi injury, focusing on tendon attachment, muscle edema, injury classification system and how the classification directs ideal care” provides a concise, clinically relevant summary.
Advancing prompt engineering skills can translate expertise into questions that AI can answer effectively and boost the overall value of information for providers and patients. It is a skill that may seem as intuitive as dictating a note or mentoring a resident or advanced practice provider. However, the vast complexity of large language models necessitates we refine the ability to ask questions in a manner that produces the desired output.
Integrating into practice
The stakes of ignoring AI can be high. Understanding and improving prompt engineering skills can help integrate AI into many aspects of orthopedics and patient care. AI can augment our ability to interpret imaging and predict outcomes with precise prompts. Asking “Compare preoperative and postoperative CT scans for a 50-year-old male with a tibial plateau fracture, estimating nonunion risk,” can provide data to inform surgical strategy. Without AI fluency, we will miss such insights.
AI can help craft customized treatment plans if using specific prompts. AI can assist with administrative tasks, but only with clear instructions. Practices that adopt AI-driven efficiency will outpace those stuck in outdated workflows. AI can accelerate research and lead academic discussions.
Prompt engineering
Prompt engineering is not a high-tech luxury that you can delegate. A structured approach will help capture the value of experience and clinical acumen within the prompt to provide informative and actionable results.
First, define the goal by clarifying what is needed — diagnostic support, treatment plan or administrative insights. A focused objective shapes an effective prompt. Second, provide context by including specifics about a patient or subject matter to ensure relevant outputs. Context is the difference between generic and actionable. Third, be precise by using clear, structured language. Instead of “Help with a knee case,” try, “Evaluate the risk of revision surgery in a 55-year-old male with a total knee replacement and mild periprosthetic lucency.” Then, to truly reach the desired output, get comfortable with iterative refinement by adding more details or rephrasing the prompt to be specific. Iteration fine-tunes the output, much like adjusting a surgical approach intraoperatively. Finally, practice as you would with any new skill, experimenting with lower-value tasks, such as patient letters or practice guidelines.
AI: The next chapter
AI represents the next chapter for orthopedics, demanding lifelong learning to achieve the best outcomes for patients. While AI is already transforming the profession, many orthopedic surgeons may be hesitant to adopt the technology. Private practices and health care systems prioritize AI-capable clinicians to meet demands for efficiency and precision. If we do not adapt, we risk becoming sidelined with our expertise overwhelmed by those who effectively use AI.
AI is a tool that can enhance surgeons’ skills, but it cannot replace the surgical mastery developed over years of clinical practice. By incorporating AI skills, such as prompt engineering into our work, we can maintain our expertise and leadership in musculoskeletal health while updating and enhancing patient care.
As orthopedic surgeons, we are responsible for our patients and practices. Attend AI-focused sessions at orthopedic meetings. Explore the tools in your EMR. Collaborate with colleagues who are already using AI.
AI is not optional. It has already impacted our daily lives. By mastering prompt engineering, we can harness AI to deliver better care, lead research and thrive in a competitive landscape. Orthopedic surgeons who excel at AI will shape the profession, while those who resist will be replaced. AI will be an integral component of the best practices. Make an effort to embrace the innovation that will change orthopedic surgery.
For more information:
Anthony A. Romeo, MD, is the Chief Medical Editor of Healio | Orthopedics Today. He can be reached at Healio, 6900 Grove Road, Thorofare, NJ 08086; email: orthopedics@healio.com.
Published by:
Sources/Disclosures
Collapse
Source:
Expert Submission
Disclosures:
Romeo reports receiving royalties from, being on the speakers bureau and a consultant for, and doing contracted research for Arthrex.
Add topic to email alerts
Receive an email when new articles are posted on
Please provide your email address to receive an email when new articles are posted on .
”
data-action=”subscribe”>
Subscribe
We were unable to process your request. Please try again later. If you continue to have this issue please contact customerservice@slackinc.com.
Back to Healio
