What do you do if your creativity as a physician can enhance patient care outcomes?

We are, most of the time, averse to change. It means that we are reluctant to learn and use new approach, new technology etc. from time to time. Worst, we sometimes stay away from a new diagnosis in treating a patient. Thinking out of the box and Trying to get up from a comfort zone are necessary requirement to embrace a new and better healthcare in this ever changing technology era. Learning from my teachers and senior colleagues, I try my best to learn about latest clinical advances not only in the aspect of knowledge but also in terms of practice guidelines. I always search a new symptom and signs in my currently treating patients so that I can think about some new diagnosis and I daily try hard to accept or refuse my previous diagnosis.

Medicine has evolved rapidly in the past 100 years so much so that, the latest guidelines change by the day. Yet, many physicians cling to their obsolete ideology and knowledge which does not yield the optimal results. Being a physician is being a human, being a teacher and being a student all the while constantly learning and evolving. Embracing novelty and willing to accept that your knowledge might be insufficient and there is always someone better than you at practice helps you improve.

Without new ideas, progress can never be made. We don't have all the answers and even the ones we have are often incomplete and unsatisfactory. Always think about ways to improve the current processes but also understand that the healthcare system is VERY slow to adapt any new ideas or technologies.

Man is not an island, neither is a physician. Knowledge is endless and we are specialising in silos. We often are unaware of other departments' developments that will help our patients. Be open-minded and willing to collaborate with others in the field. It takes a leader to manage experts in different fields at different wavelengths. But, once the team comes together, the output you can produce is far more than anything they could have produced individually.

Collaboration beats competition any day. We are stronger together. We are not meant to live this life in isolation: we are meant to live together, work together, love together, and grow together. Colleagues can be used as sounding boards as well as other innovators that can deliver more clinical data to support your new vision.

It is paramount that patients understand what is happening to them and why you might be recommending a certain treatment. I am very open with my patients when I have either reached the limits of my knowledge or am using a product/tool/technique in new, possible off-label, uses. Ultimately, it has to be their decision. I have never encountered a patient that did not appreciate my candor.

Be humble and ready to accept responsibility. Accept whatever the results of your treatment are, positive as well as negative. Reflect on the shortcomings and take constructive criticism. Advice from a veteran or expert in the field is much more valuable. Learn new skills and adapt. Learn time management, communication skills, and personnel management to upskill yourself.

We all have blind spots in our lives, including blind spots in new technology or approaches we have identified. It is paramount to seek feedback from patients and colleagues to find these blind spots. As scientists, we have to find ways to test our hypotheses and try to prove them wrong as much as we can (even if we believe them to be right). Only then can we be certain that our approach is a good one.

Without knowing where you have come from, you can't know where you are going. Or, as others have said it, those who don't understand history are bound to repeat it. Document your process rigorously so you can go back and reflect on it and find the weak spots. From a legal stand point, it helps to mention that this is a novel and experimental tactic you are using but also providing the rationale to support your thoughts.

For a physician, leveraging creativity to enhance patient care outcomes should involve 1. Exploring innovative treatment approaches, 2. Considering individual patient needs holistically 3. Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, and 4. Integrating cutting-edge research into practice This approach also means embracing new technologies, seeking feedback, and continuously learning and adapting to advancements in the medical field. Ultimately, it's about thinking outside the box to tailor solutions that optimize patient well-being and treatment effectiveness.