Teach Design to Surgical Trainees: One Small Step for Surgeons, One Giant Leap for Surgery

Abstract

The field of surgery faces complex, systemic challenges that will require new academic frameworks. In this paper, we propose design thinking as a useful problem-solving technique to apply to such challenges. We define design thinking and provide a brief history of this practice. Finally, we offer suggestions to introduce design thinking to surgical trainees, drawing from the experience of innovation programs that have incorporated this technique.

Keywords: design thinking; human centered design; surgical innovation.