Yesterday, in his address at the annual conference of the Indian Academy of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery in Jammu, the Honourable Minister of State for Science and Technology, Mr. Jitendra Singh, posed a provocative question. He asked, “We are producing plenty of medical graduates, but are we producing enough doctors?” His query reflects a critical distinction: that being a doctor goes beyond academic credentials. The crux of his argument was that the healthcare sector urgently needs practitioners who are not just technically proficient, but also empathetic – practitioners who understand and connect with their patients on a human level.
Dr. Prahlada N.B, a panelist in a discussion on difficult scenario in Otological surgeries.
Empathy. A term frequently thrown around in various contexts, but rarely fully understood. I, too, underestimated the depths of this simple word until a chance encounter with a profound perspective forced me to see its limitless possibilities.
Recently I had an opportunity to listen to a riveting lecture by Prof. Deepa Sethi, a renowned professor at IIM, Kozhikode. During her enlightening talk on Communications in Healthcare, she stressed the importance of empathy in enhancing patient-doctor engagement. In her view, empathy was the cornerstone to successful medical practice. These insights came as a coincidence for me as they resonated deeply with me, as sometime back, they ignited a curiosity that led me towards a path of empathetic problem-solving.
A class on Communication in Healthcare by Prof. Deepa Sethi, of IIM Kozhikode.
For the longest time, like many others, I had perceived innovation to be synonymous with the sophisticated labyrinth of scientific terminologies. I ventured deep into the elaborate world of intricate medical devices, immersing myself in an ocean of knowledge. This sea consisted of nearly 1.5 lakh scholarly articles and an array of 300 diverse textbooks, belonging to 16 subjects outside my core competency. As I navigated this maze, I felt an urge to create something meaningful, to make a substantial contribution to this complex field.
However, my pursuit was more daunting than I had anticipated. I was ensnared in a complex web of information, desperately seeking a spark of inspiration to illuminate my way forward. My plight reminded me of the legendary inventor, Thomas Alva Edison, who famously said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
Like Edison, I too was discovering what didn’t work, experiencing a journey that had its parallels with his enduring efforts. My pursuits were lined with difficulties, but I continued undeterred, aware that each unsuccessful attempt was a step closer to the solution I sought.
That much-needed spark was ignited by Guy Kawasaki, a name synonymous with innovation. He introduced me to the transformative concept of Design Thinking, a philosophy emphasizing empathy towards end-users, a keen understanding of their needs, and a focus on designing solutions that address their real pain points.
Design thinking is a problem-solving approach that involves a deep understanding of the user’s needs and experiences. It’s a human-centered, iterative, and prototype-driven process that aims to solve complex problems in a user-oriented way. The design thinking process traditionally involves five stages: Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype and Test. Design thinking encourages organizations and individuals to focus on the user, which allows the problem-solving process to be more collaborative and iterative. The approach not only applies to product design but can also be used in designing services, processes, and strategies. It’s highly effective in managing complexity and uncertainty, and it fosters creativity and innovation.
In recent times, the world of science and technology has been profoundly impacted by the wave of design thinking. More and more organizations are transitioning from traditional strategies to adopt this approach, known for its emphasis on customer-centric solutions.
At the heart of Design Thinking, I found empathy. It wasn’t about creating an innovative solution; it was about stepping into the shoes of those we aim to serve, truly understanding their problems, and inventing solutions to alleviate their suffering. This revelation was groundbreaking. I wasn’t an inventor but a problem-solver for millions across the globe.
With this shift in perspective, my goal post changed. The ideation process transformed from a chase after complexity to a pursuit of solutions deeply attuned to the needs of people. Like an invisible veil lifted, solutions revealed themselves, and soon we had a tangible prototype. But the journey didn’t end there. Each iteration of the prototype brought us closer to a solution – a solution imbued not just with innovation but a deeply empathetic understanding of the users it aimed to serve.
This odyssey, from the convoluted maze of scientific literature to the heart of Design Thinking, has been transformative. Today, I am not just a creator of devices but an architect of solutions. This journey has taught me that while technology provides the tools to invent, it is empathy that truly breathes life into our creations.
The blend of empathy and Design Thinking is a harmonious symphony, a fusion of understanding, compassion, and innovative problem-solving. This journey has reshaped my approach to inventions, infusing a profound sense of purpose into my work. The confusing labyrinth of scientific literature has been replaced with a clear path of empathetic, user-centric invention. Each step on this path is a stride towards making the world a better place, one empathetic solution at a time.
I have realized the essence of innovation lies not in complexity but in understanding. As Guy Kawasaki beautifully encapsulated, “Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” Today, I stand at the precipice of my journey, the path ahead illuminated by a renewed sense of purpose and a steadfast commitment to empathetic problem-solving.
As I invite you to embark on your own journey of empathetic problem-solving, remember this: Innovation and complexity need not always go hand in hand. Instead, let empathy guide your quest for solutions. Seek to understand before seeking to innovate. In doing so, you will not only solve problems but also significantly enhance the lives of those you aim to serve. To get further motivated please watch Guy Kawasaki’s ted talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mtjatz9r-Vc.
Prof. Dr. Prahlada N.B
Jammu
6th Aug 2023.
Leave a reply