Study: Playing WoW makes you a better surgeon

by Mike Schramm Aug 18th 2008 at 7:00PM

The American Psychological Association has released a study of surgeons (why they chose surgeons to study, who knows) that says surgeons who play World of Warcraft and other video games can make them a better surgeon overall. Not only does controlling a game character give you better motor skills, but playing an involved and complicated game can, not surprisingly, can make you a better analytical thinker and problem solver. Surgeons who played videogames (though they don't mention how much or how often) were faster at advanced surgical procedures and make fewer errors than surgeons who didn't.

So does this mean that playing videogames can replace education entirely? Not so fast, back to schoolers -- apparently playing games also makes things not so complicated seem not so interesting. While leading a pickup group in Karazhan will definitely help your problem solving abilities (though probably not your stress levels), it will make it harder for you to do things like settle down and study a book. As with everything, moderation is the key.

Tags: apa, boston, doctor, get-it-witch-doctor, karazhan, pug, science, scientists, study, surgery

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Blizzard, News items

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Angelus Aug 18th 2008 7:10PM

Thank you for justifying my insane addiction.

Saiforune Aug 18th 2008 7:14PM

"As with everything, moderation is the key."

Ikarus Aug 19th 2008 1:22PM

All things in Moderation, including moderation

Saiforune Aug 18th 2008 7:14PM

"As with everything, moderation is the key."

Eternalpayn Aug 18th 2008 7:16PM

Score 1 for Videogames! TV, still at 0.

Vager Aug 18th 2008 7:23PM

Moving your fingers makes you a better surgeon apparently.

Asami Aug 18th 2008 7:29PM

That's what she said.

Emberhorn Aug 18th 2008 7:32PM

The study focused on performance of surgeons during laparoscopic surgery. This is a special type of surgery performed by means of long, slender surgical instruments passed through small incisions in the body. The surgeon manipulates the instrument handles outside the body and monitors the "business end" of the instuments inside the body by means of a nearby television hooked up to a fiber optic camera. Proficiency in this technique requires the surgeon to be able to view the surgical field (and his/her instuments) from strange angles and make precise movements. Its not surprising that the spatial skills you gain from years of playing video games would give you an edge.

CursedSeishi Aug 18th 2008 7:36PM

Darn, and here I thought I could go to college, learn a little doctoring, then when I apply for a job in the ER field, I could list my education AND how much I play games...

Zep Aug 18th 2008 7:40PM

HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

And broccoli causes cancer, too.

Xeren Aug 18th 2008 7:48PM

um, how is it so hard to believe that one activity that requires good motor skills helps with another activity that requires good motor skills?

L2correlate

Sallix Aug 18th 2008 8:13PM

http://www.wowhead.com/?item=24393

Graham Aug 18th 2008 8:18PM

Well of course it does! That makes total sense.

Fauche Aug 18th 2008 8:54PM

Said the same thing about Monkey Ball a few years ago. Exactly the same.

ScorchHellfire Aug 18th 2008 9:14PM

i had my spleen removed by laproscopic surgery almost a year ago... i doubt my doctor plays video games tho as he was probably in his late 50s... oh well...

Shinken Aug 18th 2008 9:17PM

Surgeons play rogues CHOP CHOP CHOP!

Zumacrume Aug 18th 2008 9:42PM

doesn't the APA have better things to do studies on? Next "APA study shows people who need motor skills are more proficient when they use motor skills"