Doctor, did you warm up with 'Grand Theft Auto'?

New study shows that doctors who prepare for surgery by playing video games are faster and more precise.

The story "Doctor, did you warm up with 'Grand Theft Auto'?" published May 24, 2006 at 4:52 AM is no longer available on CNET News.

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[umbrae]

Old News

This was a news story like a year and 1/2 ago. It was even on my local news back then. Good Job news.com for staying on top of anchient news.

[just_some_guy]

No.

According to the article, the study will be released on Wednesday. Maybe a report of the on-going study was given some time ago, but the findings are just now coming out.

Dr. Rosser's website confirms that the study has not been finalized:
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.rosseramti.com/AMTI/RD-amti.html" target="_newWindow">http://www.rosseramti.com/AMTI/RD-amti.html</a>

[Christopher Hall]

No study needed

I didn't need a study to know that people who play video games have better eye-hand coordination than those who don't. Any skill, repeated regularly, develops and hones.

[Janarius]

Even the obvious needs to be studied

I agree that it's very obvious. But since we're talking about video games, it gives a good point in using video games for training purposes and convince some skeptics.

[DJ-JD]

will desensitize doctors to violence! Turn them into killers!

The last thing I want is a doctor who just finished playing GTA, who is holding a sharp knife, to come near me! I mean, he could go off on a rampage in the OR and hack and slash me to death!! After all, video games CAUSE violent behavior, right? This could turn doctors into Killers rather than Healers. Run for your lives to the nearest church! (all churches are free of killers)

[Janarius]

It's a correlation, not causation

No, video game violence does not cause violence or aggression. Granted, there's a strong correlation, but there are other factors in causing aggression, such as frustration, irritability and such.