Abstract
Anyone else get the feeling that we are not alone? Remember when we were kids, and everything was within our reach. We could walk or ride our bikes to the edge of the known. Occasionally, our parents might drive us to a distant place (likely an hour or so away) that was foreign and provided us with so many new experiences and adventures.
I remember my first road trips with my parents like it was yesterday. The smell of the vinyl seats and gasoline. Sleeping in the backseat, likely without a seatbelt! My older brother and baby sister curled up in a pile with me.
The adventure was grand. I’m sure we only went at most an hour or two from home, but it opened up a whole new world to explore. And I loved it! I am sure this lit the travel bug in my life.
Now, years later it has not diminished. If you told me tomorrow that I needed to get on a plane for a new destination, my only question would be, “When do I need to be at the airport?” Obviously, that’s a bit unrealistic having a family and a busy practice, but not too far from the truth. Travel is a special gift.
Over the past several decades, I have had the opportunity to travel to quite a few places on this unique planet. Some very tame and relaxing, others maybe not so much. But all these destinations have given me a gift. The gift of understanding.
Understanding is a special process. It forces us out of our comfort zone and allows us to view things in a new light. This is very important in our world as foot and ankle surgeons.
We learn our skills in a very small community for the bulk of our education. This is a good thing initially since it lends intimacy and strong relationships. But ultimately, we need to open our minds to new ideas. I feel travel helps in letting this process happen.
Imagine my surprise when I learned that how folks in other places did surgery was different from how I was taught to do a surgery! Seeing the creativity and ingenuity of different approaches to treating patient has been inspiring. Often, here in the United States, we get spoiled by all the options we have for treatment. When I get to visit other parts of the world, I see how that abundance may actually be limiting our ability to be creative and innovative.
If you ever have the chance to travel to new places and experience a different culture, your life will surely be enriched. But to enhance the experience even more, take the opportunity to see how those different cultures deliver care to the sick and injured.
I have no doubt this will help you put your own practice into perspective. Each time I have had the opportunity to visit new cultures and experience their delivery of health care, I have walked away filled with new ideas to improve my practice and how I care for my patients.
Enjoy the New Year and go explore!
Cheers