Patients deserve the personal attention of their physician who should partner with them in forming a personalized diagnosis and treatment plan.  Many orthopedic surgeons in this community have abandoned the traditional doctor/patient relationship, choosing to provide oniy the most technical aspects of their patients’ care. Most of the evaluation, examination and consultation is provided by an assistant with considerably less training and experience. In this model of care, surgeons do not see their patients in the hospital after surgery, nor do they provide personal aftercare in the office.