2021 Annual Meeting Startup & Practice Management Access Pass-Innovation: The Triumph of Improbability

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Dr. Brummer’s talk, "Innovation, the Triumph of Improbability," explores how improbable breakthroughs drive progress, using shoulder arthroscopy as a prime example of a paradigm shift in medicine. He highlights how innovation often faces resistance from established experts but, through persistence, tenacity, and creative problem-solving—combining deep expertise with broad knowledge—new techniques and technologies emerge. Dr. Brummer recounts the early challenges of arthroscopic shoulder surgery, including skepticism, the creation of new terminology, development of instruments, and proving biomechanical efficacy. He emphasizes the importance of lateral thinking and grit in overcoming burdens of craft. Drawing on historical examples and key thinkers like Kuhn, Ridley, and Christensen, he argues that while innovation is demanding, it ultimately triumphs. His message inspires future innovators to embrace challenges and pursue breakthroughs, reminding them that the next improbable innovation is always possible and essential to progress.

Asset Caption

Dr. Stephen Burkhart

Keywords

Innovation

Shoulder Arthroscopy

Paradigm Shift

Medical Breakthroughs

Persistence in Medicine