Am I a red flag?

Talking Rehab with Dr. Fred Bagares

In this episode of *Talking Rehab*, I dive into an intriguing topic about how physicians handle complex cases and the impact of referrals. After years of managing challenging musculoskeletal conditions, I explore whether referring physicians, like myself, can unintentionally create bias in surgical recommendations. This episode is a bit speculative, but I encourage you to tune in and join the conversation!
Here’s a quick breakdown of the key moments:
- **[00:00]** – Introduction to rehabilitation and my background as a sports and spine physician.
- **[00:36]** – Discussing complex cases and patient feedback, especially how I navigate non-straightforward cases.
- **[02:01]** – The importance of note-taking and long-term follow-up on patients’ progress.
- **[03:19]** – A real case of knee pain that led me to question surgical referrals and decision-making.
- **[05:12]** – Why some surgeons might avoid surgery for complex patients and whether my referral plays a role in that.
- **[07:03]** – Speculating on the impact of surgeon bias and the disconnect between patient notes and patient experiences.
- **[09:00]** – An open call to discuss the role of referral sources in medical decisions and the need for more collaboration in complicated cases.
If you're a physician, physical therapist, or a patient with thoughts on this, I’d love to hear from you! Let’s explore how referrals shape patient outcomes and whether complexity is something to shy away from or embrace.
Listen, reflect, and don't forget to reach out via my social media to share your thoughts!

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