Rationalization has been a defining factor in the evolution of neurosurgery throughout time. It has become so advanced through new technological developments and adaptations to the daily schedule of a busy neurosurgeon. It has brought new technological advancements that have completely changed the skillset needed for the job. The job has become more involved and intense with surgeries more complicated than ever before. It takes a lot to become a neurosurgeon, both a lot of time and determination. These forces of rationalization have come with some irrationalizations as well. It is important to keep these in mind. These factors include how expensive it is to run an MRI machine (you'd never believe it!) New technology requires the surgeon to be just about as smart as the technology itself because the surgeon has to be able to save the patient if technology fails. All of this, and more, can lead to a career that comes with great stress and pressure. You do not want to miss out on hearing about how rationalization has both helped and hurt the field of neurosurgery.
Frameless Stereotaxy is one of the most useful technological advancements in neurosurgery. It allows the neurosurgeon to see laparoscopically in the brain where they are working in real-time, three-dimensional form. How does this work? As shown in the photo, it produces a magnetic resonance scan image that allows the surgeon to see exactly which tissue area in the brain they are touching. This makes surgeries less invasive, quicker, more precise, and safer (which is quite literally the definition of "rationalized"). There can be no argument that this is not a rationalized improvement from the previous method of opening up the brain and working with only what the human eye could see. Imagine having to cut into someone's skull on a mere hope that you are in the right place and can make the right cuts once you're in. Frameless stereotaxy is pretty helpful, right!
The MRI scanning machine is also a huge step in rationalization of neurosurgery field. It allows for scanning of any part of the body using magnetic radio waves that produce an image of the inside of the body and the tissues that may have some sort of lesion or mass causing an issue. It allows for the patient and the doctor to have a whole new level of confidence in a diagnosis of what is wrong, for example, exactly how big and exactly where a cancerous tumor is. Once again, imagine trying to diagnose an issue when you do not have any way to see inside the body, just about impossible right!
Irrationalizations of Technology
These two forms of rationalization, frameless stereotaxy and MRI scanning machines, have both brought numerous benefits, however, every up has a down. These are irrationalizations. High cost is one of these "downs". It costs a lot to purchase, run, maintain, and upgrade MRI scanning machines (more than you probably think). This high cost goes both ways. It is a cost to the hospital and the patient. Some patients cannot afford their scan and their surgery, making this amazing advancement irrational in a way. This high cost may even encourage patients who need an MRI scan urgently to not get one at all because they are afraid of the large dent to their savings.
Although frameless stereotaxy is such an advanced technology that allows neurosurgeons to operate laparoscopically, technology is not infallible. If this machine were to fail during a surgery, the surgeon is left operating blind with no access to see what they are doing at all. Not to mention, in some cases, anasthesia on a patient can only safely last so long, so the neurosurgeon is responsible for making a decision to either fix the technology or take over performing the surgery quickly. Failures can be caused by many things such as circuit failures, power outages, glitches, etc. There is an innumerable amount of reasons that technology can malfunction. The malfunction of frameless stereotaxy would be a pretty awful and serious malfunction. This highlights an irrational aspect of this very helpful advancement.
Rationalization of Neurosurgeons' Schedules
Surgeons wake up very early and start their day as soon as possible to maximize the amount of time available to tend to patients. They work long hard hours and give up their own free time for the sake of their job. Would you be willing to give up your liberty of time for your career saving others? Easy to say "Yes, duh!" when you know you could save so many lives, but it comes with a great expense to your own life. Surgeons have adapted a system of working with urgent patients between non-emergent patients to maximize efficiency. They have perfected how to complete as many surgeries in the most efficient amount of time. In other words, they have rationalized their time. This type of dedication allows more patients to be saved in one day.
Irrationalizations of Neurosurgeons' Schedules
Neurosurgeons are efficient at their job and maximize time spent working, but, what does that leave for their personal lives? Rationalization has caused neurosurgeons to lose most control over their daily personal lives regarding family planning for example. This is a luxury most people enjoy, but surgeons are responsible for so many lives that it can almost feel wrong to take time for themselves. No one should feel guilty for taking time with family, friends, and even just themselves. If anything, surgeons need this time even more after being in such a stressful atmosphere for the entirety of the day. A. great way to put it is neurosurgery has become less of a job, and more of a lifestyle through all of this rationalization (and irrationalization).
Neurosurgery As A Whole
Learning how technology that seems to be nothing but beneficial can really be inefficient in some ways is shocking. This principle is something most people do not think about when merely looking at the surface of the field of neurosurgery. Another thing that was shocking was getting into the depth of how much free time that surgeons lose. It is widely known that neurosurgeons are busy with not much time off, but most people do not typically think deep enough to realize that even planning when to start a family or scheduling a dinner with friends can be almost impossible. Do you think you can handle this type of intense lifestyle?
Sources
Fig. 1 - sudok1 Adobe Stock Standard License
Fig. 2 - Elnur, Adobe Stock Standard License
Fig. 3 - Ricardo L. Carrau, ResearchGate
Fig. 4 - Tyler Olsen, Adobe Stock Standard License
Fig. 5 - lovelyday12, Adobe Stock Standard License
Fig. 6 - H_Ko, Adobe Stock Standard License
Fig. 7 - digidreamgrafix, Adobe Stock Standard License
Fig. 8 - Andrey Kuzmin, Adobe Stock Standard License
Credits:
Created with images by sudok1 - "Blurred hospital hallway, unfocused background" • Elnur - "Brain surgery done by robotic arm" • Tyler Olson - "Female Doctor Preparing Patient For CT Scan In Hospital" • lovelyday12 - "hand holding money bag. concept saving finance and accounting" • H_Ko - "Two doctors in medical protective masks sit in corridor of medical facility. Medical error during operations concept" • digidreamgrafix - "early morning sunrise over charlotte city skyline downtown" • Andrey Kuzmin - "alarm clock isolated with clipping path included"