Expert Knowledge vs Dogma vs Good Science and the Relevance to Innovation and Value for Our Patients
- Dr. Jon JP Warner
- Sep 2
- 2 min read
Dear Colleagues:
Question: What do Marty Makary, MD (Head of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)), Frederick (“Rick”) Matsen, MD and Prof. Christian Gerber have in common? …Two of these individuals are orthopedic surgeons, both of whom remain major thought leaders of their generation. The third is the current Head of the FDA and is trained as a cancer surgeon….
Answer: All of these individuals believe that blind acceptance of facts from flawed research is a major barrier to innovation and best care for our patients. Moreover, Eminence-based opinion that leads to poor treatments is often the result of flawed scientific methods. Evidence-based treatments with strong scientific method often take a backseat to these entrenched beliefs which come from flawed science.
In his recent book, “Blind Spots” , Makary gives multiple examples of how experts have used opinion and flawed science to create treatments that provide little value for our patients and moreover, may actually result in harm.
For those of us who are orthopedic surgeons, Rick Matsen and Christian Gerber have dedicated their lives to a similar theme as Makary. Both believe in the value of research based on important questions as a basis to advance patient care.
Matsen often points out our failure to consider over-utilization of expensive technologies which promise to deliver better outcomes when simple approaches are, indeed, a better value. Gerber makes the case that innovation and disruptive research have become less the norm rather than “me too” research.
Please see the enclosed summary of these two leaders who are among the greatest of their generation of shoulder surgeons. Also included is the summary of a lecture given by Prof. C. Gerber for his honorary doctorate at Sapienza, University of Rome on the topic “What Drives Scientific Creativity and Innovation?” All of us who endeavor to follow in their footsteps should read their past work.
Kind Regards,
Jon “JP” Warner MD
Founder, CSS
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