How Should Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgeons Be Paid? Compensation Models and Incentives to Motivate Surgeons in the USA: The Role of Surgeon Leaders

This article arises from conversations over the past two decades between the lead author and many other orthopaedic leaders, especially pediatric orthopaedic division chiefs, about the best model for compensating pediatric orthopaedic surgeons. These discussions covered compensation, incentives, and the work of pediatric orthopaedic leaders in developing programs that aim for excellence-primarily in both operative and nonoperative care of children but also in research to advance our field and educational initiatives that pass along knowledge and skills to the next generation of surgeons. We hope these future surgeons will drive innovations and improvements. Two of the coauthors are experienced chiefs with years of hiring, evaluating, and compensating surgeons, while two are more recently appointed chiefs beginning to build excellent programs. Over the past decade, the five authors have overseen the compensation of approximately 100 pediatric orthopaedic surgeons each year. The essential foundation for a top-tier pediatric orthopaedic surgical program is to hire, develop, retain, and promote outstanding surgeons. This article discusses the role of compensation in achieving that goal.