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How to cite: Rosser, J. C., Lynch, P. J. Haskamp, L., Gentile, D. A., & Yalif, A. (2007). The impact of video games in surgical training. Archives of Surgery, 142, 181-186.
Abstract
CONTEXT Video games have become extensively integrated into popular culture. Anecdotal observations of young surgeons suggest that video game play contributes to performance excellence in laparoscopic surgery. Training benefits for surgeons who play video games can be quantified.
HYPOTHESIS We hypothesize a potential link between video game play and laparoscopic surgical skill and suturing.
DESIGN Cross-sectional analysis of the performance of surgical residents and attending physicians participating in the Rosser Top Gun Laparoscopic Skills and Suturing Course was applied. Three different video game exercises were performed and surveys were completed to assess past experience with video games and current level of play as well as each subject’s level of surgical training, number of laparoscopic cases performed and number of years in medical practice.
SETTING Academic medical center and surgical training program.
PARTICIPANTS Thirty-three residents and attending physicians participating in the Top Gun Laparoscopic Skills and Suturing Course during 2001-2003.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome measures were correlated between participants’ laparoscopic skills and suturing capability, video game scores and video game experience.
RESULTS Past video game play in excess of three hours per week correlated with 37% fewer errors (p < 0.02) and 27% faster completion (p < 0.03). Overall Top Gun score (time and errors) was 33% better (p < 0.005) for video games players and 42% better (p < 0.01) if they played greater than 3 hours per week. Current video game players made 32% (p < 0.035) fewer errors, performed 24% (p< 0.036) faster and scored 26% better overall (time and errors) than their non-playing colleagues. When comparing demonstrated video gaming skills, those in the top tertile made 47% (p < 0.00) fewer errors, performed 39% (p < 0.00) faster and scored 41% (p < 0.00) better on the overall Top Gun score. In regression analysis also indicated that video game skill and past video game experience are significant predictors of demonstrated laparoscopic skills.
CONCLUSIONS Video game skill correlates with laparoscopic surgical skills. Training curricula that include video games may help thin the technical interface between surgeons and screen mediated applications such as laparoscopic surgery. Video games may be a practical teaching tool to help train surgeons.
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