Thirteen years ago, when I was contemplating a total knee replacement, I suggested that instead of using the orthopedic surgeon who had so carefully explained the procedure and what to expect afterward, that we try to find a first year medical student to do the surgery.
“You have been doing this for so long,” I said, “that you probably have an in with all the prosthetic companies and most of the drug companies and because you have used the same hospital all these years, you are too closely identified with it.
You have to admit that a first year medical student will be able to identify the muscle origins and insertions and he or she will bring a fresh outlook to the job. And he or she will not be beholden to anyone at a drug company or a prosthetic company or the hospital.”
“What’s more,” I continued, “I want to return the practice of surgery to the people who are more in tune with patients, who are more like people like me. I know a little bit about this surgery and I want someone who also knows a little bit.”
The surgeon said to me, “You are out of your mind,” a sentiment echoed by my family, my neighbors and my friends. “What you want,” they all agreed, “is the most knowledgeable surgeon you can find, the one who has the most experience, who knows what the best prosthetic devices are and what drugs will be best to speed your recovery.”
I acceded to their opinions and my knee replacement was performed by a surgical team that does about 2,000 joint replacements each year. They perform their surgery in a state-of-the-art surgical suite where they do the necessary measurements and the insertion of the prosthetic device with the aid of state-of-the-art computers. While the team is in the surgical suite, they wear scrub suits that are very much like the suits the scientists wore when they were looking for E.T.
Thirteen years and lots of stairs and ladders and lawns mowed, my right knee replacement is still in place and has showed virtually no wear.
When, 10 years later the left knee needed to be replaced, the same surgical team did the surgery, including the anesthesiologist. “This one will be easier,” the surgeon said, “because we have learned a lot in the last ten years. You will get well a whole lot faster.” He was right; the left knee was easier and I got well faster.
Now the truth is, with the first knee replacement, I wanted the most experienced and successful surgeon I could find. I didn’t want someone who didn’t know as much as I did about the surgery to replace my knee. That was why, when it was time to get the other knee replaced, I returned to the same surgical team.
Now here is a puzzle: can someone tell me why electing someone who knows virtually nothing about government and about the issues elected officials must deal with, particularly at a time of economic and foreign policy crisis, is a good idea?
My high school seniors knew the names and issues involved in a dozen cases that had been heard by the Supreme Court and they knew the decisions they agreed or disagreed with and why. They could and would discuss them fervently and intelligently at the drop of a hat.
How many of the anti-establishment, anti-intellectual candidates who may win public office in this election cycle can do that? Only in America would there be a substantial number of people who believe ignorance is a virtue!
Dorothy N. Fowler