In 2024, millions of patients relied on Zocdoc to connect with healthcare providers across every state and specialty, booking appointments with ease. Each interaction offered insights into patient preferences, with orthopedic care emerging as one of the most in-demand specialties. In fact, orthopedics ranked as the ninth most-booked specialty of 2024.
By analyzing these patient behaviors, we uncovered powerful insights to help practices better support their patients. Here’s what Zocdoc data revealed about orthopedic patients in 2024.
Who was looking for new orthopedic providers?
Hint: everyone
In 2024, just over half (53%) of Zocdoc orthopedic patients were women; 47% were men.
They sought long-term relationships
Patients seeking orthopedic care in 2024 valued trust and continuity. Over 80% of Zocdoc’s orthopedic patients rebooked with the same provider, making them one of the most loyal patient groups. This loyalty translated to higher lifetime revenue, as patients consistently returned again and again.
When did they want to see orthopedic providers?
Patients prioritized speed to care
In 2024, roughly half of all bookings were made for appointments within 4 days and 20% were for appointments within one day — far sooner than the national average wait time of 16.9 days.*
*According to the 2022 Survey of Physician Appointment Wait Times
Booking flexibility was essential
Nearly half of patients booked orthopedic appointments from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. when the office is typically closed. This highlighted the importance of offering online self-scheduling to remain competitive and meet patient needs.
They wanted to get in early
The busiest booking days were Mondays and Tuesdays, with 10 a.m. being the most popular time slot. October was the busiest month for bookings, followed by July.
How did they choose orthopedic providers?
Insurance drove decisions
In 2024, 3 out of 4 orthopedic patients booked with a commercial insurance plan, and 9 out of 10 chose in-network providers. For those booking out-of-network or without insurance, popular visit reasons included leg, knee, and foot problems.
Mobile led the way
67% of orthopedic appointments were booked via mobile device, a number that continues to increase year-over-year, and underscores the importance of meeting patients where and how they’re searching.
Reviews and office photos mattered
Patients consistently favored providers with more positive reviews and professional office photos. Relative to orthopedic providers with one to nine reviews, those with 10 to 29 reviews saw 2.4x as many bookings on average. While many platforms allow anyone to write a review, Zocdoc promotes trust by only publishing reviews from verified patients.
Similarly, providers with four or more office photos got 2.9x as many bookings compared to providers without photos.
Listing hospital affiliation (when applicable) boosted bookings
Orthopedic providers who included their hospital affiliation on Zocdoc saw 2.2x more bookings than those who did not.
Provider gender played a role
Male orthopedics received 60% more bookings on average than their female colleagues.
Why were they looking for new orthopedic providers?
The most booked visit reasons included:
- Orthopedic Consultation
- Orthopedic Consultation (Leg & Knee)
- Orthopedic Consultation (Hand & Wrist)
- Orthopedic Consultation (Spine & Back)
- Orthopedic Consultation (Shoulder)
- Knee Pain
- Orthopedic Consultation (Foot & Ankle)
- Spine Specialist Consultation
- Hand Surgery Consultation
- Foot Problems
Where did they want to see orthopedic providers?
Patients wanted to stay close to home
In 2024, 4 out of 5 in-person visits took place within 20 miles.
In-person visits were strongly favored
Given the nature of orthopedics as a “hands-on” specialty, it’s not surprising that patients preferred in-person visits. In fact, 99% of bookings were in-person.
Looking back at 2024
From prioritizing quick access and long-term relationships to favoring providers with trustworthy reviews, orthopedic patients made their expectations clear. Understanding these trends and how you can meet patients’ unique needs can position your practice for further growth in 2025. Consult with an enterprise sales representative to learn more about how Zocdoc can grow your business.