Super Monkey Ball saves lives News

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News by Ellie Gibson

25 May, 2006

A new study has revealed that surgeons could perform better if they enjoy a quick gaming session before entering the operating theatre.

According to CNN, more than 300 surgeons took part in the study, which was conducted by the Beth Israel Medical Center in New York.

Some of the surgeons were asked to play Super Monkey Ball for 20 minutes before performing a surgical drill, while others went straight into the operation without a warm up.

Researchers discovered that those who had played the game completed the procedure 11 seconds faster than those who hadn't, on average. And what's more, they made fewer mistakes.

The man behind the study, Dr James "Butch" Rosser, is hoping to develop a simulator to help train surgeons. He wants to clamp down on medical errors, which contribute to an estimated 100,000 deaths a year in the US. "We can't practice on patients," Rosser said reassuringly.

Why he doesn't just make them all play Trauma Center is anyone's guess.

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Psi

25/05/06 @ 10:56

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doctors playing monkeyball before cutting people open?... when he's stiched you back up does he immediatly shoot 400 foot up into the air?

25/05/06 @ 10:57

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Because they'd go into the OR bloody frustrated - that's why they arn't playing Trauma Center. That, or they'd be laughing too hard..

Edited 1 times, most recently on 25/05/06 @ 12:02

reality_cheque

25/05/06 @ 12:01

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"maybe the Government should remove the ban of not allowing Doctors to mastibate over unconscious patients"

Surely that's unconstitutional? :)

Tweakmonkey

25/05/06 @ 12:48

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So did they try other games or just this one?

*wonders what a game of AvP would do*

Have_to_Speak_Up

25/05/06 @ 14:55

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"And what's more, they made fewer mistakes"

...

...

er... "fewer" mistakes?

kangarootoo

25/05/06 @ 16:44

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Last night a muuuuunki saaaved my life!!!

disc

25/05/06 @ 16:48

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I dont think playing Trauma Center would have as good a result just by Monkey Ball being more 'reactive' and using smoother movements.

Trauma Center (on DS at least) more involves just aiming and clicking.

Golgo

25/05/06 @ 20:19

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Wasn't this news on that BRAVO games show about 12 months ago,
including an interview with the surgeon who perfected the technique?
(who also cited Star Wars PodRacer and Silent Scope as good training for surgeons)

TR421

25/05/06 @ 21:25

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The other problem with using TC, is that they'd try to complete open heart sugery in 5 minutes without delegating any tasks to the nurse. All with the heart still active and beating.

NegativeZero

25/05/06 @ 23:25

#10

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So what happens if they play GTA3 beforehand?

Also, surely this is more a case of helping the sugeons relax than it is a case of their skills improving due to a warm-up.

Edited 1 times, most recently on 26/05/06 @ 00:25

dadrester

26/05/06 @ 13:26

#11

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Also, surely this is more a case of helping the surgeons relax than it is a case of their skills improving due to a warm-up.

you've obviously never played SMB.

Edited 1 times, most recently on 26/05/06 @ 14:27

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