The E3 Rehab Podcast 246. Intellectual Humility in MSK Care w/ Michael Battistone
Mar 31, 2026
Michael Battistone, an academic rheumatologist and PhD researcher on intellectual humility in medical education, shares stories from clinical practice and training. He explores admitting limits, valuing others' perspectives, learning from failures, and teaching uncertainty. Short anecdotes highlight collaborative care, asking for help, and staying curious like a child.
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Knee Aspiration That Became A Teaching Moment
- Michael Battistone describes a primary care knee aspiration that repeatedly failed until a new physician assistant used a different approach and drained 20–30 cc of fluid on the first try.
- The encounter became a teaching moment: Battistone admitted difficulty, called for help, and learned how Andrea's humility and technique created a better patient and learner outcome.
One Humble Moment Sparked Longterm Collaboration
- A single humble act (calling for help) catalyzed a 15-year interprofessional collaboration and new musculoskeletal educational programs.
- Battistone credits that moment with shaping his character and creating integrated clinic-teaching teams including PTs and pharmacists.
Working Definition Of Intellectual Humility
- Intellectual humility lacks a single agreed definition; contemporary work frames it as recognizing our knowledge limits and the value of others' opinions.
- Battistone references Taneli Porter's synthesis of six domains and adopts the working definition emphasizing both self-limitation and others' value.