On Wednesday 21 Feb 2007 11:10 pm, Udhay Shankar N wrote: > better keyhole surgery skills
This has been quoted in all surgery conferences and keyhole surgery workshops for at least a decade. I can't comment about myself because I started doing keyhole surgery before I attempted any games on computer. Anyone who has used a mouse is better than one who hasn't and gamers can probably get the hang of things before those who don't. In fact it has been shown that fighter pilots who have gamed on computer may be better at handling information rich modern cockpits than those who haven't gamed. The only thing gaming does not change is surgical judgement, which will remain as important as ability. To quote a neurosurgeon friend of mine: It took me five years to learn how to operate It took me ten years to learn when to operate But it took me twenty years to learn when not to operate. In a few years there will be no surgical trainee who has not played games on a computer. Some will be better gamers that others. Perhaps the research focus will then shift to whether better gamers are better keyhole surgeons. I have an idea for research - but it is not easy to investigate clearly. When keyhole surgery is not possible, surgeons sometimes have to open up the patient and make judgements and perform certain actions by feel alone, using one's fingers. Would someone do some research to find out whether surgeons who have groped in the dark and fondled their girlfriends/boyfriends make better operators than those who have not done that? Must remember to write to the council of Medical research and ask.. shiv
