Deja Vu In Skies and Spines
As I zoomed down the runway in the cockpit of a tiny little airplane and felt the tilt of the wings lift the aircraft, a thought occurred to me: I was on my own and there wasn’t a thing in the world anyone could do to directly help me.
It was an emotional Deja-Vu, and somewhere between the radio static form the control tower telling me the skies were clear and slight turbulence that I have come to expect as a pilot, it became clear where it came from.
Later that day, as I looked around at the tame in the operating room, the anesthesiologist, the OR nurse, the Physician’s Assistant and interns for my first surgery as lead surgeon I had the same feeling: I was on my own and there wasn’t a thing in the world anyone could do to directly help me.
In both scenarios, I had a team of trained professionals to provide guidance, support, highly specialized knowledge and deep familiarity with protocols for any eventuality. But when it came to the ultimate outcome, whether landing the plane safely or bringing the patient through a successful surgery, the buck stopped with me.
In the realm of professions, being a pilot and an orthopedic surgeon might seem poles apart, one navigating the skies and the other repairing bones. However, a closer look reveals a surprising array of similarities between these two seemingly disparate roles. Both demand precision, skill, split-second decision-making, and an unwavering commitment to safety. What are some of the intriguing parallels that exist between being a pilot and an orthopedic surgeon?
1. Precision and Skill:
At the heart of both professions lies the demand for precision and skill. Just as a pilot maneuvers a massive aircraft through various atmospheric conditions, an orthopedic surgeon navigates the complexities of the human body’s skeletal system. Both roles necessitate a deep understanding of their respective domains, coupled with hands-on mastery. Whether it’s adjusting the angle of an aircraft during a landing or aligning fractured bones with surgical precision, the finesse required remains strikingly similar.
2. Decision-Making Under Pressure:
Pilots and orthopedic surgeons frequently find themselves operating under intense pressure. In the cockpit, pilots are required to make split-second decisions that impact the safety of their passengers and crew. Similarly, orthopedic surgeons must make critical choices in the operating room that can alter the course of a patient’s recovery. This shared ability to think on their feet and execute calculated decisions in high-stress situations is a common trait that binds these professionals together.
3. Rigorous Training and Continuous Learning:
Becoming a pilot or an orthopedic surgeon requires extensive training and continuous learning. Pilots go through rigorous flight training programs, mastering a range of skills to ensure safe takeoffs, flights, and landings. Orthopedic surgeons spend years studying anatomy, surgical techniques, and patient care to ensure optimal outcomes. The commitment to lifelong learning and staying abreast of advancements is vital for success in both fields.
4. Team Collaboration:
Both professions thrive on teamwork and collaboration. Pilots coordinate with air traffic controllers, cabin crew, and ground staff to ensure smooth flights. Similarly, orthopedic surgeons work alongside anesthesiologists, nurses, and other medical professionals during surgeries. Effective communication and coordination are paramount to achieve their common goal: safe travel or successful patient recovery.
5. Emphasis on Safety:
Safety is non-negotiable for both pilots and orthopedic surgeons. Pilots follow stringent protocols to ensure the well-being of everyone on board, while orthopedic surgeons adhere to strict hygiene and surgical practices to prevent infections and complications. The shared commitment to ensuring the safety of their respective “passengers” highlights another parallel between these professions.
6. Technology Integration:
Advancements in technology have significantly impacted both aviation and orthopedics. Pilots rely on sophisticated avionics systems and must keep up with improvements in design and engineering, navigation and communication. Embracing technology is essential for delivering efficient and effective outcomes in both fields. There are continuous improvements in surgical techniques, surgical implants, and the use of biologics.
While orthopedic surgeons utilize cutting-edge imaging techniques and innovations such as robotic assistance for precise surgeries, pilots also train on different airplanes for different levels of skill from recreational to commercial, shipping and military aviation.
The worlds of piloting and orthopedic surgery reveal remarkable parallels that underscore the shared values of precision, decision-making, teamwork, and safety. Whether one soars amidst the clouds or mends the human framework, the journeys of pilots and orthopedic surgeons converge in their pursuit of excellence. That familiarity unique to both, the Deja Vu that some call mystical and others called focused preparation, never leaves us. Neither does the sense of responsibility for passengers or patients who entrust us with their lives.
Both have highly specialized training and certification processes. Both are self correcting through oversight, review and research. When a problem is found the solutions are shared with the field in research journals and regulatory guidelines. But most importantly, both are an art that is refined through experience.
Whether you are seeking a pilot or a surgeon, you are going to want someone who has had a long time to practice their art.
See you in the office or the clouds!