PeachJam

Generally what happens is the dr’s receive continuing ed class from the company making the product. For example the company would order cadavers and a class would be held with the surgeons practicing a fusion on the cadaver. (I know it sounds creepy but this is how the surgeons practice, everything from knee replacement to plastic surgery). Then they are approved to begin scheduling the type of procedure that they learned. However, they do not do the procedure on a live patient alone until they decide (I have never known of someone doing it right out of class). What happens is that the sales rep for the company will attend the surgery as well. He is not licensed to operate and is not supposed to touch the patient but they are there with the surgeon to offer any help needed i.e. answer any questions, help if something goes wrong etc. I know that it sounds scary but it is a safe system. With all the malpractice out there surgeons go any very prepared and the companies themselves make sure that they are covered as well.

On a side note a lot of dr’s continue requesting a rep in surgeries (liability issue), and I would say most surgeons have a rep there is it is a revision where previous hardware is having to be removed. If you haven’t had surgery yet you might ask what company makes the hardware that the surgeon will use and if a rep will be present for the surgery. Also, how many reps? A lot of times there is a training rep following around an experienced rep to watch only.

Don’t really know if anyone cares but I thought I would share.