Becker’s Healthcare Podcast Dr. Earl Kilbride, orthopedic surgeon at Austin Orthopedic Institute
Nov 8, 2025
Dr. Earl Kilbride, an orthopedic surgeon with over 20 years of experience at Austin Orthopedic Institute, tackles key healthcare trends like consolidation and reimbursement challenges. He dives into the impact of AI on the industry and highlights the exciting shift towards outpatient procedures in ASCs. Dr. Kilbride also shares strategies for independent practices to thrive, emphasizing the importance of community connections and innovative marketing. His insights are invaluable for anyone navigating the evolving healthcare landscape.
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Transcript
Episode notes
Three Forces Reshaping Small Practices
- Consolidation, reimbursement cuts, and AI are the top forces reshaping independent practices.
- These trends threaten small groups but also offer efficiency and innovation opportunities.
Use AI Cautiously And Integrate Carefully
- AI promises efficiency but requires careful vetting and thoughtful EMR integration.
- Use AI for clinician workflows and patient education only after validating outputs.
ASC Shift Reduces Costs And Workload
- Moving procedures to ASCs reduces administrative burden and can lower patient costs while maintaining safety.
- Shifting care to outpatient settings also shortens physician rounding and discharge workload.