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- Title
Effect of visual-spatial ability on learning of spatially-complex surgical skills.
- Authors
Wanzel, Kyle R; Hamstra, Stanley J; Anastakis, Dimitri J; Matsumoto, Edward D; Cusimano, Michael D
- Abstract
Visual-spatial ability is thought to be important in competency in specific surgical procedures. To test this hypothesis, 37 surgical residents completed six tests of visual-spatial ability, ranging from low-level to high-level visual processing. Using previously validated and objective instruments, we then assessed their ability to complete and learn a spatially-complex surgical procedure. Residents with higher visual-spatial scores in the form-board test and the mental-rotations test did significantly better in the procedure than did those with lower scores. After practice and feedback, residents with lower scores achieved a comparable level of competency. Our results suggest that visual-spatial ability is related to competency and quality of results in complex surgery, and could potentially be used in resident selection, career counselling, and training.
- Publication
Lancet (London, England), 2002, Vol 359, Issue 9302, p230
- ISSN
0140-6736
- Publication type
Research
- DOI
10.1016/S0140-6736(02)07441-X