Brian R. Gantwerker, MD, founder of the Craniospinal Center of Los Angeles, discusses how his hobbies help him improve his practice.
Ask Spine Surgeons is a weekly series of questions posed to spine surgeons around the country about clinical, business and policy issues affecting spine care. We invite all spine surgeon and specialist responses.
Next week's question: What are the pros and cons of hiring physician extenders, such as physician assistants and nurse practitioners?
Please send responses to Anuja Vaidya at avaidya@beckershealthcare.com by Wednesday, Aug. 8, at 5 p.m. CST.
Question: Do you have any hobbies that inform your surgical practice, such as art or athletics?
Dr. Brian Gantwerker: Working on our house is a pleasure of mine. We recently demoed [the process of making] an old TV cabinet into a dry bar. Working with different tools and materials helps you understand the physical behavior and anticipate potential problems with complex problems. Thinking through a project is like planning a surgery, it makes one run through a simulation in your mind and prepares you for decisions and how a situation dovetails.