Practice Frictions Survey

AAHKS Arthroplasty Practice Friction & Sustainability Survey
What’s getting in your way?

AAHKS is evaluating operational and structural barriers that affect arthroplasty surgeon performance, efficiency, and long-term career sustainability.

This survey focuses on practical realities:
• What slows you down
• What frustrates you
• What feels like low-value work
• What would meaningfully improve your professional life

Estimated time: approximately 7 minutes.
Responses are confidential and will only be reported in the aggregate.

Practice Profile

Question Title

* 1. Gender:

Male

Female

Non-Binary

Prefer to self-describe

Prefer not to say

Question Title

* 2. Years in practice:

1–5

6–10

11–20

21–30

>30

Prefer not to say

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* 3. What best describes your primary practice model?

Private Practice (solo or <10 clinicians)

Private practice (10 or more clinicians)

Multispecialty group

Hospital Employed

Academic / University

Military or VA Hospital

Other

Question Title

* 4. Is your practice backed by private equity?

Yes

Question Title

* 5. If you could change your practice model today, what would you choose?

I would not change my practice model

Private practice

Multispecialty group

Hospital employed

Academic / University

Military or VA Hospital

Other

Question Title

* 6. Average hours worked per week (clinical + administrative):

<40

40–60

61–80

>80

Prefer not to say

Compensation Model

Question Title

* 7. What is your primary compensation model?

Fee for service

Relative value unit (RVU) based

Fixed salary

Salary plus performance incentive

Other

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* 8. If you could change your compensation model today, what would you choose?

I would not change my compensation model

Fee for service

Relative value unit (RVU) based

Fixed salary

Salary plus performance incentive

Other

Question Title

* 9. On a scale of 1–5, how satisfied are you with your overall compensation?

Very satisfied

Satisfied

Neutral

Dissatisfied

Very dissatisfied

Question Title

* 10. Do you feel your compensation is fair relative to your workload?

Very fair

Somewhat fair

Neutral

Somewhat unfair

Very unfair

Workload & Sustainability Snapshot

Burnout is defined as a state of emotional exhaustion and reduced sense of personal accomplishment.

Question Title

* 11. In the past year, how often have you felt burned out from your work?

Never

A few times a year

Once a month

A few times a month

Once a week

A few times a week

Every day

Question Title

* 12. On a scale from 0 to 10, how burned out do you feel currently?
(0 = Not at all burned out | 10 = Completely burned out)

Clear

i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

Question Title

* 13. How likely are you to leave orthopaedic surgery within the next 5 years?

Very unlikely

Unlikely

Neutral

Likely

Very likely

Operational Friction

Question Title

* 14. What percentage of your professional time feels like unnecessary or low-value work?

<10%

10–25%

26–50%

51-75%

>75%

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* 15. How often do you leave work frustrated by factors outside your clinical control?

Never

Rarely

Sometimes

Frequently

Almost daily

Question Title

* 16. Here are potential factors of what may slow you down or irritate you at work. Please rank each from 1 to 10 based on how much they impact you.
(1 = Least Impact | 10 = Most Impact)

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
EMR / EMR inbox burden	EMR / EMR inbox burden 1	EMR / EMR inbox burden 2	EMR / EMR inbox burden 3	EMR / EMR inbox burden 4	EMR / EMR inbox burden 5	EMR / EMR inbox burden 6	EMR / EMR inbox burden 7	EMR / EMR inbox burden 8	EMR / EMR inbox burden 9	EMR / EMR inbox burden 10
Insurance / prior authorization	Insurance / prior authorization 1	Insurance / prior authorization 2	Insurance / prior authorization 3	Insurance / prior authorization 4	Insurance / prior authorization 5	Insurance / prior authorization 6	Insurance / prior authorization 7	Insurance / prior authorization 8	Insurance / prior authorization 9	Insurance / prior authorization 10
Clinic inefficiency	Clinic inefficiency 1	Clinic inefficiency 2	Clinic inefficiency 3	Clinic inefficiency 4	Clinic inefficiency 5	Clinic inefficiency 6	Clinic inefficiency 7	Clinic inefficiency 8	Clinic inefficiency 9	Clinic inefficiency 10
OR delays	OR delays 1	OR delays 2	OR delays 3	OR delays 4	OR delays 5	OR delays 6	OR delays 7	OR delays 8	OR delays 9	OR delays 10
Staffing turnover	Staffing turnover 1	Staffing turnover 2	Staffing turnover 3	Staffing turnover 4	Staffing turnover 5	Staffing turnover 6	Staffing turnover 7	Staffing turnover 8	Staffing turnover 9	Staffing turnover 10
Administrative oversight	Administrative oversight 1	Administrative oversight 2	Administrative oversight 3	Administrative oversight 4	Administrative oversight 5	Administrative oversight 6	Administrative oversight 7	Administrative oversight 8	Administrative oversight 9	Administrative oversight 10
CMS / reporting burden	CMS / reporting burden 1	CMS / reporting burden 2	CMS / reporting burden 3	CMS / reporting burden 4	CMS / reporting burden 5	CMS / reporting burden 6	CMS / reporting burden 7	CMS / reporting burden 8	CMS / reporting burden 9	CMS / reporting burden 10
Late add-on cases	Late add-on cases 1	Late add-on cases 2	Late add-on cases 3	Late add-on cases 4	Late add-on cases 5	Late add-on cases 6	Late add-on cases 7	Late add-on cases 8	Late add-on cases 9	Late add-on cases 10
Clinical productivity pressure (RVU/Collections)	Clinical productivity pressure (RVU/Collections) 1	Clinical productivity pressure (RVU/Collections) 2	Clinical productivity pressure (RVU/Collections) 3	Clinical productivity pressure (RVU/Collections) 4	Clinical productivity pressure (RVU/Collections) 5	Clinical productivity pressure (RVU/Collections) 6	Clinical productivity pressure (RVU/Collections) 7	Clinical productivity pressure (RVU/Collections) 8	Clinical productivity pressure (RVU/Collections) 9	Clinical productivity pressure (RVU/Collections) 10
Loss of autonomy	Loss of autonomy 1	Loss of autonomy 2	Loss of autonomy 3	Loss of autonomy 4	Loss of autonomy 5	Loss of autonomy 6	Loss of autonomy 7	Loss of autonomy 8	Loss of autonomy 9	Loss of autonomy 10
Complication management stress	Complication management stress 1	Complication management stress 2	Complication management stress 3	Complication management stress 4	Complication management stress 5	Complication management stress 6	Complication management stress 7	Complication management stress 8	Complication management stress 9	Complication management stress 10
Unrealistic patient expectations	Unrealistic patient expectations 1	Unrealistic patient expectations 2	Unrealistic patient expectations 3	Unrealistic patient expectations 4	Unrealistic patient expectations 5	Unrealistic patient expectations 6	Unrealistic patient expectations 7	Unrealistic patient expectations 8	Unrealistic patient expectations 9	Unrealistic patient expectations 10
Reimbursement decline	Reimbursement decline 1	Reimbursement decline 2	Reimbursement decline 3	Reimbursement decline 4	Reimbursement decline 5	Reimbursement decline 6	Reimbursement decline 7	Reimbursement decline 8	Reimbursement decline 9	Reimbursement decline 10
Professional isolation	Professional isolation 1	Professional isolation 2	Professional isolation 3	Professional isolation 4	Professional isolation 5	Professional isolation 6	Professional isolation 7	Professional isolation 8	Professional isolation 9	Professional isolation 10
Physical strain	Physical strain 1	Physical strain 2	Physical strain 3	Physical strain 4	Physical strain 5	Physical strain 6	Physical strain 7	Physical strain 8	Physical strain 9	Physical strain 10
Non-clinical tasks – Too many emails	Non-clinical tasks – Too many emails 1	Non-clinical tasks – Too many emails 2	Non-clinical tasks – Too many emails 3	Non-clinical tasks – Too many emails 4	Non-clinical tasks – Too many emails 5	Non-clinical tasks – Too many emails 6	Non-clinical tasks – Too many emails 7	Non-clinical tasks – Too many emails 8	Non-clinical tasks – Too many emails 9	Non-clinical tasks – Too many emails 10
Non-clinical tasks – Too many society commitments	Non-clinical tasks – Too many society commitments 1	Non-clinical tasks – Too many society commitments 2	Non-clinical tasks – Too many society commitments 3	Non-clinical tasks – Too many society commitments 4	Non-clinical tasks – Too many society commitments 5	Non-clinical tasks – Too many society commitments 6	Non-clinical tasks – Too many society commitments 7	Non-clinical tasks – Too many society commitments 8	Non-clinical tasks – Too many society commitments 9	Non-clinical tasks – Too many society commitments 10
Non-clinical tasks – Too many hospital commitments	Non-clinical tasks – Too many hospital commitments 1	Non-clinical tasks – Too many hospital commitments 2	Non-clinical tasks – Too many hospital commitments 3	Non-clinical tasks – Too many hospital commitments 4	Non-clinical tasks – Too many hospital commitments 5	Non-clinical tasks – Too many hospital commitments 6	Non-clinical tasks – Too many hospital commitments 7	Non-clinical tasks – Too many hospital commitments 8	Non-clinical tasks – Too many hospital commitments 9	Non-clinical tasks – Too many hospital commitments 10
Non-clinical tasks – Too many research commitments	Non-clinical tasks – Too many research commitments 1	Non-clinical tasks – Too many research commitments 2	Non-clinical tasks – Too many research commitments 3	Non-clinical tasks – Too many research commitments 4	Non-clinical tasks – Too many research commitments 5	Non-clinical tasks – Too many research commitments 6	Non-clinical tasks – Too many research commitments 7	Non-clinical tasks – Too many research commitments 8	Non-clinical tasks – Too many research commitments 9	Non-clinical tasks – Too many research commitments 10
Non-clinical tasks – Too many consulting commitments	Non-clinical tasks – Too many consulting commitments 1	Non-clinical tasks – Too many consulting commitments 2	Non-clinical tasks – Too many consulting commitments 3	Non-clinical tasks – Too many consulting commitments 4	Non-clinical tasks – Too many consulting commitments 5	Non-clinical tasks – Too many consulting commitments 6	Non-clinical tasks – Too many consulting commitments 7	Non-clinical tasks – Too many consulting commitments 8	Non-clinical tasks – Too many consulting commitments 9	Non-clinical tasks – Too many consulting commitments 10
Personal issues (outside of work)	Personal issues (outside of work) 1	Personal issues (outside of work) 2	Personal issues (outside of work) 3	Personal issues (outside of work) 4	Personal issues (outside of work) 5	Personal issues (outside of work) 6	Personal issues (outside of work) 7	Personal issues (outside of work) 8	Personal issues (outside of work) 9	Personal issues (outside of work) 10

Other

Professional Control & Work Conditions

Question Title

* 17. I have sufficient control over my workload.

Strongly agree

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

Strongly disagree

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* 18. My work pace is sustainable long term.

Strongly agree

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

Strongly disagree

Question Title

* 19. l feel pressured to work faster than I am comfortable with.

Strongly agree

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

Strongly disagree

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* 20. The amount of time I spend on documentation is reasonable.

Strongly agree

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

Strongly disagree

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* 21. I spend excessive time completing documentation at home.

Strongly agree

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

Strongly disagree

Professional Meaning & Alignment

Question Title

* 22. My professional values are well aligned with those of my organization

Strongly agree

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

Strongly disagree

Retention Identity

Question Title

* 23. If you were finishing college today, would you choose medicine again?

Definitely Yes

Probably Yes

Unsure

Probably Not

Definitely Not

Question Title

* 24. If you were finishing medical school today, would you choose orthopaedic surgery again?

Definitely yes

Probably yes

Unsure

Probably not

Definitely not

Question Title

* 25. If you would choose orthopaedic surgery again, would you still specialize in arthroplasty?

Definitely yes

Probably yes

Unsure

Probably not

Definitely not

Direct Feedback

Question Title

* 26. If you could permanently eliminate ONE persistent frustration from your professional life, what would it be?

Professional Stress

Question Title

* 27. Would concern about your medical license make you hesitant to seek mental health care if needed?

Yes

Follow-Up Study

Question Title

* 28. Would you be willing to complete a more detailed follow-up survey (~12 minutes) focused on practical solutions?

Yes, please enter your email address:

Practice Frictions Survey

Question Title

* 1. Gender:

Question Title

* 2. Years in practice:

Question Title

* 3. What best describes your primary practice model?

Question Title

* 4. Is your practice backed by private equity?

Question Title

* 5. If you could change your practice model today, what would you choose?

Question Title

* 6. Average hours worked per week (clinical + administrative):

Question Title

* 7. What is your primary compensation model?

Question Title

* 8. If you could change your compensation model today, what would you choose?

Question Title

* 9. On a scale of 1–5, how satisfied are you with your overall compensation?

Question Title

* 10. Do you feel your compensation is fair relative to your workload?

Question Title

* 11. In the past year, how often have you felt burned out from your work?

Question Title

* 12. On a scale from 0 to 10, how burned out do you feel currently?(0 = Not at all burned out | 10 = Completely burned out)

Question Title

* 13. How likely are you to leave orthopaedic surgery within the next 5 years?

Question Title

* 14. What percentage of your professional time feels like unnecessary or low-value work?

Question Title

* 15. How often do you leave work frustrated by factors outside your clinical control?

Question Title

* 16. Here are potential factors of what may slow you down or irritate you at work. Please rank each from 1 to 10 based on how much they impact you.(1 = Least Impact | 10 = Most Impact)

Question Title

* 17. I have sufficient control over my workload.

Question Title

* 18. My work pace is sustainable long term.

Question Title

* 19. l feel pressured to work faster than I am comfortable with.

Question Title

* 20. The amount of time I spend on documentation is reasonable.

Question Title

* 21. I spend excessive time completing documentation at home.

Question Title

* 22. My professional values are well aligned with those of my organization

Question Title

* 23. If you were finishing college today, would you choose medicine again?

Question Title

* 24. If you were finishing medical school today, would you choose orthopaedic surgery again?

Question Title

* 25. If you would choose orthopaedic surgery again, would you still specialize in arthroplasty?

Question Title

* 26. If you could permanently eliminate ONE persistent frustration from your professional life, what would it be?

Question Title

* 27. Would concern about your medical license make you hesitant to seek mental health care if needed?

Question Title

* 28. Would you be willing to complete a more detailed follow-up survey (~12 minutes) focused on practical solutions?

* 12. On a scale from 0 to 10, how burned out do you feel currently?
(0 = Not at all burned out | 10 = Completely burned out)

* 16. Here are potential factors of what may slow you down or irritate you at work. Please rank each from 1 to 10 based on how much they impact you.
(1 = Least Impact | 10 = Most Impact)