How to Come Up with A Great Idea
The key to coming up with a great idea is to concentrate on solving an unmet need. Your medical practice is a fertile source for discovering these unmet needs. Doctors make the best inventors because major needs and unsolved problems are staring you in the face every day - you just have to train yourself to see them.
Coming up with a great idea:
First, get a small notebook, or use your PDA and set up a page with the heading “Needs”. Every day write down the exasperations and frustrations you experience. Write down situations where you wanted something that wasn’t there. Take note of “faults”, “limitations”, and “drawbacks” in devices you use. What is missing? Is there a better way? What tool could you have used today? What comments did your patients make about a particular device they are using? What is your wish list for a new device?
Think:
If only I had . . .
Faster
Doctor fatigue
Smaller
If only I could . . .
Less Invasive
Patient comfort
Simpler
How come . . .
Non-Invasive
Staff fatigue
Less is more
Why not?
What if . . .
Labor saving
Third or forth hand
Look beyond standard practice and the “accepted”, typical way of doing things. Many breakthroughs have occurred when inventors went in the opposite direction.
Let go! Anything goes. If you want to innovate you need to break free.
Any questions? Email me at michael@doctorofinvention.com