Using a Wii to train surgeons
An article in the Guardian Technology section (Why a Wii could be good for your health) describes how a Medical School in the U.S. is conducting a study on the effects on surgeon proficiency from regular game play on the Nintendo Wii games console. The results have been positive and not only show increased “tool control and performance” but also appear to show that there is something specific about this particular games console rather than just computer gaming in general.
The study has also shown, not unsurprisingly, that certain games are better than others at developing the appropriate skills required by surgeons…a round of golf on the Wii every night is probably not going to help. The Medical School is also developing its own specific games for the Wii which it hopes to bring to the wider market.