Pump the brakes on your week and take 10 minutes to make your life as a surgeon just a little better…
In this mini-podcast episode, Jeff welcomes orthopaedic trauma surgeon Assistant Program Director for Broward Health Orthopedic Residency, Brian J. Cross, MD, or “BJ.”
The topic of discussion in this episode is: Be Smooth! More specifically, BJ champions the mantra, “Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast.”
What does BJ mean by this?
BJ is an avid fly fisherman and military training enthusiast. On one trip to the everglades with his friend and fishing guide, Mark Giacobba, Mark recognized a simple, yet incidental move BJ was doing that would spook the fish, in turn ruining their chances of catching anything. To negate this habit, Mark told BJ, “Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast.”
Coincidentally, BJ also happened across this concept later while studying how military snipers train. If we take our time to learn a repeatable skill, eventually the skill will become so ingrained that we can do it smoothly. With enough practice, our ability to perform this smooth skill will get faster and faster.
Shortly after that BJ started considering how he could apply this concept in surgery. One example is learning new surgical skills as a resident. BJ’s residency has adopted this saying as a mantra, and his surgical residents have improved their ability AND speed during procedures.
What steps does BJ suggest we take to incorporate this concept?
Step 1 – Slow down. Ignore your speed.
Step 2 – Take your time. Focus on learning proper technique.
Step 3 – Practice technique. The speed will come.
Most importantly, find opportunities to slow down the process to improve overall effectiveness!
Guest: Brian “BJ” Cross, DO
Dr. Brian Cross is an orthopaedic trauma surgeon and Assistant Program Director for Broward Health Orthopedic Residency in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He received his medical degree from Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years. When he is not taking care of patients and teaching orthopaedic residents, Brian is spending time with his family. He enjoys participating in outdoor activities like fly fishing to get away from the grind.