Original ArticleComparison of Teenaged Video Gamers vs PGY-I Residents in Obstetrics and Gynecology on a Laparoscopic Simulator
Section snippets
Methods
Fifteen teenaged experienced video gamers and 15 postgraduate year I (PGY-I) residents in obstetrics and gynecology (Ob/Gyn) were timed while performing 3 laparoscopic simulator assessment procedures. All 15 teenagers were aged 15 to 19 years, had been actively playing video games for at least 5 years, and had beaten the expert level of an advanced video game (e.g., Call of Duty, Halo, Need for Speed, Guitar Hero). The 15 teenaged experienced video gamers were children and their friends of the
Results
The median times in seconds to complete each assessment drill on the laparoscopic simulator are given in Table 1. Compared with the PGYI Ob/Gyn residents, teenaged experienced video gamers completed the Bean and Pom-Pom Drop 27% faster (p = .05), the Checkerboard Drill 41% faster (p = .03), and the Bead Manipulation 31% faster (p = .43).
Discussion
Advanced laparoscopic procedures are increasingly being used as an alternative to laparotomy in gynecologic surgery 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. A meta-analysis of 27 prospective randomized trials has proved the benefits of laparoscopic vs abdominal gynecologic surgery: decreased pain, decreased surgical site infections, decreased hospital stay, quicker return to activity, and fewer postoperative adhesions [11]. The percentage of hysterectomies performed abdominally has decreased from approximately 80% to
Conclusion
In conclusion, to our knowledge, this is the first trial comparing experienced teenaged video gamers with Ob/Gyn residents. Although PGYI Ob/Gyn residents had 4 years of medical school experience, teenaged experienced video gamers completed our laparoscopic simulator assessment drills 30% to 40% faster. Teenaged video gamers’ advanced visual and motor skills developed from extensive virtual reality computer gaming seem to translate into improved video trainer laparoscopic skills.
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The authors have no commercial, proprietary, or financial interest in the products or companies described in this article.