Playing video games helps surgeons be more skilled

According to the results of a study, it seems that playing video games helps surgeons have really interesting skills related to the ability of surgery that requires precise techniques. The results of the study included in Archives of Surgery in February show a close correlation between the video game skill and laparoscopic surgery skills of surgeons.

Laparoscopic surgery and related surgeries require manipulation through an incision or a small hole and the surgeon proceeds to observe the operation through the television screen.

A one-and-a-half-day surgical examination showed that video game skills helped bring better results, and this correlation was even higher than the time of training or experience in laparoscopic surgery. The abdomen of the surgeon.

A laparoscopic surgical robot built by Intuitive Surgical (Photo: wikipedia.com)

Of the 33 surgeons of Beth Israel Medical Center in New York who participated in the study, 9 people had played video games for at least 3 hours a week at a time and during a thorough examination. Surgical ability, these 9 people had 37% fewer errors, 27% faster operation and 42% higher score than 15 surgeons who had never played video games before.

Mr. Douglas Gentile, Iowa State University professor of psychology and one of the authors of the study, said: 'It is amazing that playing video games plays an important role to help predict carefully. Advanced surgical skills. '

This result supports previous studies that video games can help improve 'sophisticated motor skills, hand coordination, focus vision, depth perception and skills. Computer.'

Dr. James Rosser of Beth Israel Medical Center, a senior researcher, said: 'Video games can be a practical teaching tool to help train surgeons.'

Although surgeons can benefit from video game play, the study does not agree that parents let their children play video games for hours on end.

According to Dr. Gentile's 2004 survey, 94% of American teenagers play video games on average 9 hours per week. Playing games is related to aggression, low grades and can become a substitute for exercise.

Dr Gentlie said: 'If children play video games more than an hour a day, parents should not look at the benefits of this study. Spending so much time playing video games will not help their children get the chance to go to medical school. '

Hong Linh