Clinical Innovations - Ten Thoughts (and Afterthoughts) About Medical Innovation

During a listless moment, I jotted down ten thoughts for a talk I’m developing on medical innovation.


1. Innovation is about trying, testing, rejecting, and selecting new ideas that make a difference.

(To holding the line, don’t give too much reverence).

2. Innovation is the special province of surgeons (esp gadget-prone orthopedists) and IT physician types.


(Both of whom think gadgets or algorithms can correct most health care blights).


3. Innovation is about the future, not the past.


(The past is not always built to last).


4. Innovation is about opportunities rather than problems.


(Don’t get too hung up on the old emblems).


5. Innovation ideas often comes from outside rather than inside.


(Savings come from inside, revenues from outside).


6. Innovation separates good practices from also-rans.


(Also-ran rarely own a Benz).


7. Innovation distinguishes U.S. health care from the rest of the world - 80% of Nobel Prize winners are from the U.S., and so do most technologic advances.


(Doctors in other countries with socialistic systems have fewer incentives to take more chances).


8. Innovation may offer services cheaper, better, and more convenient, but it can be disruptive.


(To the practice routine, it may be revolutionary and violently eruptive.)


9. Innovation may be the salvation of U.S. health care; in the process saving us from the mediocre.


(And from the managed care broker).


10. Innovation requires physician champions and leaders.


(Who serve as chief innovators and idea breeders).