Doctors ace the game from console to clinic

Who would have thought that spending hours on a game console could make you a better surgeon? Yet, according to studies, young surgeons who play video games about three hours a week are performing surgeries faster and making fewer errors than their non-gaming peers. It’s a fascinating look at how gaming — once considered purely recreational — might be preparing young doctors for the rigours of the operating room.

Jasdeep Mago Jethani, a neuropsychologist and psychotherapist, notes, “Gamers tend to have faster reaction times and superior hand-eye coordination. Unlike sports, which require larger motor movements, video games develop fine motor skills, which are especially beneficial in surgery.”

Gaming Buddies

It might sound a bit unbelievable at first. Video games, with their rapid graphics, quick-fire decisions, and constant hand movements, may not seem all that similar to surgery. But think again. Both require intense hand-eye coordination, the ability to make split-second decisions, and the composure to stay calm under pressure.

A study on surgeons and video gaming has found interesting benefits that gaming might bring to surgical performance.

The study, conducted with surgeons from Beth Israel Medical Center, revealed that surgeons who played video games regularly (about three hours per week) made 37% fewer errors and performed tasks 27% faster than those who did not play. Additionally, the gaming surgeons scored 42% higher on tests of surgical skills. These findings suggest that the hand-eye coordination, depth perception, and fine motor skills honed through video games can directly translate to the operating room, supporting earlier studies that highlighted similar cognitive and motor benefits of gaming for surgeons.

These impressive numbers suggest that gaming could bring real benefits to the medical field. This link between gaming and surgery isn’t a fluke; it’s about building skills that are just as critical in virtual worlds as they are in real-world operating rooms.

Hand-Eye Coordination

For anyone who’s ever played a game with intricate controls — think of guiding your character through an obstacle course or timing a jump perfectly — it’s clear that video games require serious coordination. When you play, your hands and eyes must be in sync, often within milliseconds, to perform the right moves. This precision and control aren’t all that different from the skills a surgeon needs in the operating room.

Jethani explains, “Video games foster the kind of fine motor movements needed in delicate procedures like surgery. Games that require precision, like platformers or first-person shooters, help players build accuracy — an essential skill in surgeries that involve small incisions and careful instrument handling.”

In a surgical setting, hand-eye coordination is vital. Laparoscopic surgery, for example, involves small incisions and tiny instruments, demanding precise motor control without direct visibility. Video gaming is turning out to be an unexpected training ground for building this essential skill.

The Surgeon’s Mindset

Every surgeon will tell you that the operating room can be intense. A surgeon must keep calm, think fast, and avoid mistakes under high-stress conditions.

Interestingly, many video games create similar environments – only without the life-or-death stakes. Fast-paced games like “Call of Duty” or “Fortnite” don’t give players time to hesitate; instead, they need to decide quickly and act without second-guessing.

Jethani adds, “Any game that requires quick thinking and reaction speeds can be beneficial in surgery. Gaming helps develop the ability to stay calm under pressure, which is invaluable in the operating room.”

This high-stakes environment of gaming builds what many call the “surgeon’s mindset” – staying focused and clear-headed while making rapid decisions. When applied to the OR, this mindset helps surgeons handle unexpected challenges or complications without losing their composure.

Surgical Simulators

Today’s medical schools are incorporating virtual reality (VR) and simulators that feel very much like advanced video games. These tools, known as surgical simulators, create a realistic environment where young doctors can practice their skills in a low-risk way. Instead of a patient, there’s a VR setup or a simulated environment where they can practice procedures over and over.

“In the operating room, there’s a lot to manage—staying focused on the screen, maintaining precise hand-eye coordination, and making quick movements,” Jethani says and adds, “Gaming helps develop these skills.”

Gaming Skills & Surgery

Video games aren’t all about reflexes – many involve complex problem-solving and strategy, which are vital in surgery too. Games that involve puzzles, strategic planning, or exploration (The Legend of Zelda or Portal) teach players to think critically, weigh options, and choose the best course of action – sometimes within seconds.

Surgeons use similar skills when deciding the best way to handle a challenging surgery. They must plan each step, anticipate complications, and adjust on the fly if something doesn’t go as planned. Experienced gamers are often used to this kind of quick, flexible thinking because they’re trained to solve problems creatively and efficiently, often with very little time to spare.

Modern Medical Training

Gaming as a serious training tool for surgeons is an idea that’s gaining momentum. While video games can’t replace traditional training methods, the medical field is seeing the potential benefits. As video games continue to become more sophisticated, the lines between play and practice may blur even more, creating new and innovative ways to train future surgeons.

The fact that gaming can positively impact surgical skills is encouraging news for those looking to join the field. Plus, it shifts the stereotype around video games, showing that they aren’t just a pastime – they’re tools that develop focus, precision, and quick-thinking skills. With research continuing to explore this relationship, we may see more gaming-based training tools in hospitals and medical schools soon.

Level Playing Field

For many years, video games were dismissed as distractions, sometimes even discouraged as time-wasters. But the success of surgeons who game is starting to change this narrative. So, next time you see someone gaming, think twice before brushing it off as mere fun. For future surgeons, that gaming session might just be sharpening the skills they’ll use to save lives. They’re helping young doctors “level up” for the challenges of tomorrow’s operating rooms, giving the next generation of surgeons a surprisingly fun edge.

In Safe Hands

• Surgeons who played video games regularly (about three hours per week) made 37% fewer errors and performed tasks 27% faster than those who did not play.

• Gaming surgeons scored 42% higher on tests of surgical skills (Study by Beth Israel Medical Centre)