Science Current Events | Science News | Brightsurf.com
 
Email a Friend Send to a friend
Printer Friendly Print Surgeons with video game skill appear to perform better in simulated surgery skills course

Surgeons with video game skill appear to perform better in simulated surgery skills course

February 20, 2007

In a study involving 12 surgeons and 21 surgical residents, video game skill was correlated with laparoscopic surgery skill as assessed during a simulated surgery skills course, according to a report in the February issue of Archives of Surgery, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

James C. Rosser Jr., M.D., of Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, and colleagues asked 33 surgeons (21 residents and 12 attending physicians) about their video game-playing habits, then assessed their performance at the Rosser Top Gun Laparoscopic Skills and Suturing Program, a one-and-a-half day course that scores surgeons on time and errors during simulated surgery drills. During the study, conducted from May through August, 2002, the surgeons also played three video games for 25 minutes while the researchers assessed their gaming skills.




Of the surgeons who participated in the study, 15 reported never playing video games, nine reported playing zero to three hours per week, and nine reported playing more than three hours per week at the height of their video game playing. "Surgeons who had played video games in the past for more than three hours per week made 37 percent fewer errors [in the Top Gun course], were 27 percent faster and scored 42 percent better overall than surgeons who never played video games. Current video game players made 32 percent fewer errors, were 24 percent faster and scored 26 percent better overall than their non-player colleagues," the authors write. Those in the top one-third of video gaming skill made 47 percent fewer errors, performed 39 percent faster and scored 41 percent better on the overall Top Gun score than those in the bottom one-third.

"Training curricula that include video games may help thin the technical interface between surgeons and screen-mediated applications, such as laparoscopic surgery," the authors conclude. "Video games may be a practical teaching tool to help train surgeons."

JAMA and Archives Journals



Related Video Game Current Events and Video Game News Articles Video Game Current Events and Video Game News RSS Video Game Current Events and Video Game News RSS
Iowa State study finds high volume video gamers have more difficulty staying attentive
Parents have long lectured their children about the mind-numbing effects of playing video games all day. And a new Iowa State University study has found that high volume action video game players -- those who play around 40 hours per week -- actually had more difficulty keeping focused on tasks requiring longer, more proactive attention than those who played video games less than a couple of hours a week.

Health experts offer action steps local governments can use to cut childhood obesity rates
Zoning restrictions on fast-food restaurants near schools and playgrounds, community policing to improve safety around public recreational sites, requirements that publicly run after-school programs limit video game and TV time, and taxes on high-calorie, low-nutrient foods and drinks are some of the strategies local government officials can use to tackle the childhood obesity epidemic in their communities.

Removing the barriers of autism
Autism can build a wall of poor communication between those struggling with the condition and their families.

A Window into the Brain
When we absorb new information, the human brain reshapes itself to store this newfound knowledge. But where exactly is the new knowledge kept, and how does that capacity to adapt reflect our risk for Alzheimer's disease and other forms of senile dementia later in our lives?

Worth the effort? Not if you're depressed
New research indicates that decreased cravings for pleasure may be at the root of a core symptom of major depressive disorder. The research is in contrast to the long-held notion that those suffering from depression lack the ability to enjoy rewards, rather than the desire to seek them.

Video game minority report: Lots of players, few characters
If the future of entertainment is interactive media, some minorities are still headed back to the past.

Research Finds Active Video Games a Good Alternative for Kids
Scientists at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center have found that playing active video games can be as effective for children as moderate exercise. The findings appear this week in the journal Pediatrics from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Treating Lazy Eyes with a Joystick
Four percent of all children suffer from amblyopia, better known as "lazy eye syndrome."

Playing video games for better, not worse
Some video games can make children kinder and more likely to help-not hurt-other people.

Compliance and cost: Bitter pills to swallow in the age of oral chemotherapy
Though the growing shift toward oral chemotherapy agents offers cancer patients greater freedom and independence during their treatment, physicians say use of the new medications also poses more chances for patients to skip doses, miss prescription refills, and take their drugs in a dangerous way.
More Video Game Current Events and Video Game News Articles
Cars

Cars
by THQ

In Cars, you'll get a chance to live out the thrills and fun of the new Disney/Pixar animated film! Play as all your favurite characters from the movie, as you help Lightning McQueen capture the coveted Piston Cup Championship. Features all of the major voice talent from the movie

Ghostbusters: The Video Game

Ghostbusters: The Video Game
by Atari Inc.

When Manhattan is once again overrun by ghosts and other supernatural creatures, players will take on the role of a new recruit joining the famous Ghostbusters team.

New Super Mario Bros

New Super Mario Bros
by Nintendo

New Super Mario Bros. Wii

Wii Sports Resort

Wii Sports Resort
by Nintendo

A brand new version of Wii Sports that offers gamers a day at the beach. This sequel to the popular Wii Sports makes use of the Wii MotionPlus accessory, which gives players the most responsive and realistic experience possible. The Wii MotionPlus accessory, which is included with Wii Sports Resort, plugs into the base of the Wii Remote controller and, combined with the accelerometer and sensor bar, provides an experience that gives players an even greater sense of immersion. Just as with Wii Sports, people will love competing against friends and family. As the competition heats up, Wii Sports Resort is as much fun to watch as it is to play. First-time players will find it easy to pick up a Wii Remote and jump into the action. Wii Sports Resort takes place on a tropical island. A wide...

Mario Kart Wii with Wii Wheel

Mario Kart Wii with Wii Wheel
by Nintendo

Start your engines and race with Mario and his friends with their finely tuned racing machines in Mario Kart Wii. Use 3 different control styles with the Wii Wheel included in the box. The worldwide race is on with a whole new set of tricks, tracks, and ways to play. Mario Kart Wii draws on courses and battle arenas from every game in the series - not to mention tons of new ones. The true king of the Mushroom Kingdom racing circuits will finally be crowned. Experience new tracks, enhanced Wii graphics, extraordinary gameplay and much more. Place first in Grand Prix circuits or clear skill-based missions to open up increasingly difficult and thrilling circuits. You can have multiplayer races on any open courses or battle in arenas. Now you can feel like you are Mario and steering to avoid...

Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games

Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games
by Sega Of America, Inc.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games will take players to Vancouver, Canada, host city of the official 2010 Olympic Winter Games. This gaming experience invites players of all ages and skill sets to face-off in some of the most intense winter competitions. Tailored to the specific system controls, Nintendo DS and Wii gamers will enjoy completely unique experiences thanks to each platform having its own specific gameplay features and modes. Players of all skill levels will enjoy the intuitive controls of both the Wii and Nintendo DS systems, in both single and multiplayer gaming modes. The Wii game will offer an even richer multiplayer experience offering co-op and competitive gameplay where the Nintendo DS brings an intense competitive element using the Nintendo DS wireless...

Mario & Luigi Bowser's Inside Story

Mario & Luigi Bowser's Inside Story
by Nintendo

Mario & Luigi Bowsers Story DS

Cabela's Big Game Hunter 2010 with Gun Bundle

Cabela's Big Game Hunter 2010 with Gun Bundle
by Activision Inc.

Use this All-In-One Game & Gun Combo to become the ultimate big-game hunter! Travel the globe across five continents as you hunt the world’s greatest trophy animals. Your hunting and survival skills will be put to the test as you face dangerous game, treacherous environments and more! The included firearm peripheral, the first officially approved by Nintendo, makes this the most realistic hunting game to date!

Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga

Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga
by Lucas Arts Entertainment

Lego Star Wars for the Wii

Scene It? Twilight

Scene It? Twilight
by Konami

Scene It? Twilight brings the immense universe to your living room, and tests your knowledge and wits! Trivia and Twilight fans alike will love the hours of fun as you challenge friends and family to see whose Twilight knowledge reigns supreme. Scene It? Twilight features all-new questions, movie clips and several challenging puzzle types, giving you a trivia game overflowing with images as well as audio and video clips from the world you know and love.

© 2009 BrightSurf.com