Rosser et al (2007)

Aim

To investigate a possible link between video game playing and laparoscopic surgical skill and suturing.

Procedure

• Performance analysis of 33 surgeons in a "Top Gun Laparoscopic Skills and Suturing Programme”

• Conducted 3 video game exercises

• Administered questionnaires

  • Video game experience

  • Surgical training level

  • Surgical cases

  • Years in medical practice

Findings

• Those who had past video gaming experience of more than 3 hours a week was correlated with fewer errors and faster completion of laparoscopic surgery

• Overall, the video game skill scale was highly correlated with laparoscopic skill and suturing ability

Conclusion

• Positive correlation

• Cognitive abilities honed through video gaming contribute significantly to surgical performance:

  • spatial awareness

  • decision-making speed

  • hand-eye coordination

Strengths

1. High external validity - this study focused on speed and error reduction, which will have the most significant effect on patient safety

2. Previous + current video game experience was taken into account.

Weaknesses

1. Correlational study - Bidirectional ambiguity (it could be that those best at surgery coincidentally happened to be better at gaming)

2. Non-generalisable - sample group was too small and too specific

3. Self-report questionnaires - prone to demand characteristics and response bias