Getting to Know Your Idealogical Immune System

February 21, 2016 Kenny Venere

Jay Stuart Snelson describes the ideological immune system as a system that “resists acceptance of any new ideas that would overturn any of our old basic ideas.” The idealogical immune system highlights the fact that change is hard, especially when that change comes along with a heaping dose of cognitive dissonance and contradicts our previously held beliefs.

Skepticism: What it is and what it is not

February 2, 2016 Kenny Venere

Skepticism seems to be one of those concepts that gets a bad rap not because the actual idea or thought process is a bad one, but due to the misunderstandings and misuse of the word by those claiming to be, and those critical of, skeptics. The concept of skepticism is necessary and important in physical therapy. But first, we have to make sure we understand what skepticism is and what it is not.

Survivorship Bias and Physical Therapy

January 16, 2016 Kenny Venere

Everyone has hopefully had a “eureka” moment in the clinic— The patient no one was able to help before, who by some stroke of genius (or more likely, luck), you are able to assist in a way that is truly remarkable. These successful outcomes are likely to stick with you. They are salient, positive and downright enjoyable to think of. Our memories of positive outcomes stay with us because most of us want to be successful clinicians. So naturally, it makes sense to try and re-create what we did, or to emulate what others did to succeed. In reality though, this does not work out so well.