246. Intellectual Humility in MSK Care w/ Michael Battistone

In this thought-provoking episode of The E3 Rehab Podcast, host Chris Ewan sits down with Michael Battistone, a rheumatologist and academic physician, to explore the concept of intellectual humility in musculoskeletal care and education. Battistone shares a powerful personal story from 15 years ago, when he struggled to perform a knee aspiration on a patient despite his extensive experience. Faced with mounting pressure and a room full of learners, he admitted his limitations and sought help from a junior physician assistant—Andrea—whose successful intervention became a defining moment in his professional development. This experience led Battistone to pursue a PhD on intellectual humility, culminating in a paper titled "See One, Do One, Teach One, Fail One? Intellectual Humility in Musculoskeletal Care and Education." The conversation delves into the tension between confidence and uncertainty in clinical practice, the importance of recognizing one’s limitations, and the value of others’ perspectives—especially from those with different training or experience. Battistone emphasizes that intellectual humility isn't about self-deprecation but about genuine curiosity, dialogue, and the courage to fail publicly. He argues that true learning happens not in the pursuit of agreement, but in the space of understanding, especially when working with patients and trainees. The episode concludes with a call to embrace childlike curiosity, prioritize connection over certainty, and build educational environments where failure is not hidden but used as a catalyst for growth and collaboration.