AOSSM/AANA Specialty Day 2020-Handout 2 - Innovations Lecture_ The Basis of Innovation

Handout 2 - Innovations Lecture_ The Basis of Innovation_ Depth, Breadth and Tenacity

Pdf Summary

In his AANA Innovations Lecture, Dr. Stephen S. Burkhart discusses the foundation of innovation through the lenses of depth, breadth, and tenacity, using the transition from open to arthroscopic shoulder surgery as a case study of a paradigm shift (per Thomas Kuhn). This shift illustrates how technology can either advance incrementally or be disrupted profoundly, fundamentally changing practices.<br /><br />Burkhart outlines several challenges faced during this transition, including the development of arthroscopic identification methods, creating a specialized language, disseminating knowledge, designing safe instruments and implants, and proving biomechanical equivalency to traditional methods.<br /><br />He emphasizes the concept of craft—defined as skills reliant on manual competence—and its two essential components: expertise (depth) and problem-solving (breadth). Achieving elite status in a field requires both, supported by the well-known 10,000-hour rule (Malcolm Gladwell) with possible shortcuts to mastery (Ahmad).<br /><br />Breadth of experience enables lateral thinking across diverse domains, fostering creativity and innovative problem-solving, as noted by Epstein’s work on generalists. Moreover, research that bridges different domains tends to have higher impact, a point supported by Uzzi’s findings on atypical scientific combinations.<br /><br />Finally, Burkhart highlights tenacity as the crucial driving force—human grit and perseverance are necessary to harness depth and breadth towards producing disruptive changes and achieving paradigm shifts.<br /><br />The lecture integrates insights from significant works in scientific revolutions, innovation theory, skill acquisition, and creativity to frame a comprehensive view of how innovation occurs in medicine.

Keywords

Innovation

Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery

Paradigm Shift

Thomas Kuhn

Craftsmanship

Expertise

Problem-Solving

10,000-Hour Rule

Lateral Thinking

Tenacity