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Tomaino Arm Care Network

Dr. Tomaino's Blog

A Recipe for Success

March 25th, 2013
I participated in an Educational forum this past weekend that addressed throwing-related injuries in baseball pitchers---and Jay Shiner, a former strength and conditioning coach for the Baltimore Orioles shared a message that former manager Earl Weaver used to tell his team during the season:



"I want from you 100% of the things that take no talent."

He was referring to wearing the uniform properly, running off and on the field, being on time or early for practice-----those sorts of things. He contended, Jay shared, that if the players got those things right, then the season would be a success, and playing up to their "talent-potential" would not only happen, but also be fun.



This qoute made me reflect on its potential application to my daily practice--if you will. There is always a balance between our sense of self---our talent and expertise---and a humble appreciation that what our patients may need most is simple compassion and attentive listening---the things that do not require "talent." Too often for those of us who may have earned titles or accolades throughout our careers, we might lose sight of the fact that talent and skill do not mitigate the necessity of the types of talents that do not require intellectual prowess--- ie listening and empathy.

Indeed, if one ever dares to look at the Vitals.com patient reviews site---which is arguably impugned by its anonymous nature---one will find that many of the experts in my field, university professors and world renound surgeons, including myself for that matter, are often criticized for being arrogant and insensitive.These criticisms seem to overwhelm the indisputable talents we possess as extraordinary surgeons.



This is a real wake up call if one cares to reflect on what called us each to become a physician, before our respective fields and cultures may have impacted our own original intrinsic calling---by arguably rewarding those most accomplished with the sorts of things that stroke the ego --titles, grants, awards and accolades--as opposed to rewarding those characteristics that reward the patient.

So---in keeping with Earl Weaver's message to his players, I would say that behavior such as attentive listening, empathy, compassion and kindness are the stuff that we should give 100% of. The rest---our expertise, skill etc ---will be there if we are diligent. Truly resonating with our patients requires more than those talents, however.

*POST EDITED BY DR. TOMAINO.

*POST EDITED BY DR. TOMAINO.

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