Paging Dr. Startup: Chapter 2: Screening the Unmet Clinical Need: A High-Wire Act in the Circus of Innovation

In the enthralling spectacle of medical innovation, screening the unmet clinical need takes center stage, and much like a high-wire act, it requires balance, precision, and a dash of showmanship. Following the careful selection from a multitude of ideas, a rigorous subsequent process of screening and specification is crucial before embarking on the journey of invention, much like a challenging endeavor of herding cats.

Few are born with a natural talent for this skill. Exceptional thinkers often stumble upon a clinical need and, like magicians, conjure solutions without first validating their targeted direction. But make no mistake; careful scrutiny of every facet of the need is the cornerstone of this mesmerizing performance. A formal process is needed to corral the restless feline minds toward a reliable process to vet clinical needs and set the stage for the grand act of invention.

To truly understand the intricacies of the disease states that surround a clinical need, we must embark on a journey of disease state research. It's like studying the script before stepping onto the stage. For needs that span multiple disease areas, the innovator(s) must become virtuoso actors, immersing themselves in the nuances of each related condition while keeping a watchful eye on the aspects that most directly pertain to the need. It's a bit like soaring at 30 thousand feet while navigating the dense forest below.

Anatomy and physiology, dear friends, are our props and cues. We must have a working knowledge of "normal" anatomy, although, in the world of medicine, there's often no such thing as normal. We must delve deep into the physiology of the affected organ, system, or the vast ecosystem that is the human body. It's akin to learning the choreography of a dance, and in this case, the dance is the functioning of the human body.

Understanding the disease of the affected organ or system is paramount, akin to studying the motivations and nuances of a complex character in a play. Pathophysiology and clinical presentation must take center stage, followed by the defining clinical outcomes—these are not mere symptoms but the climactic moments of our medical drama, supported by hard data, epidemiology, and the economic impact on our grand stage.

It's a delicate act of spinning plates. Each plate represents a facet of the need, and we must keep them all aloft simultaneously. And when the music stops, when the curtains draw to a close, the data must be summarized, synthesized, and understood. It sets the foundation for the grand invention, the breathtaking climax of our performance.

So, my fellow innovators, embrace the chaos of needs screening, for it is the overture to a symphony of invention. In this mesmerizing circus of healthcare, we are the ringmasters, the acrobats, and the magicians, all rolled into one. The show must go on, and it's nothing short of spectacular!

To be Continued...