Shadow of Knowledge

I recently had a chance to observe firsthand how knowledge is passed on between old and young professionals in the hospital. Older nurses shadowing younger ones with tips on care, and older surgeons shadowing younger ones in the OR to make sure they learn the techniques well.

Since I was the one on the operating table, it was comforting to know that the shadowing surgeon had done thousands of these procedures.

Now that I’m home recovering, I was thinking what a waste it is in our society that the skills and knowledge of all experienced people are not so valued. Were we not wasting so much money on pointless wars, we could employ every senior or elder in the country to help younger people prepare themselves to become more expert in their chosen field.