Imagery practice and the development of surgical skills.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this review is to explore the potential role of imagery practice during the acquisition of surgical skills, imagery practice being the mental rehearsal of a skill.


METHODS
The core of this review is derived from a literature search of a computer database (Medline).


RESULTS
The cognitive processing that occurs during times of intense learning involves processes such as dream enactment behavior and imagery practice. These processes complement and augment the more usual forms of practice.


CONCLUSIONS
Imagery practice provides a mechanism for the explicit learning of surgical skills.
Hall
John C
JC
Department of Surgery, University of Western Australia, and University Department of Surgery, Royal Perth Hospital, Wellington St., 6000, Perth, WA, Australia. jchall@cyllene.uwa.edu.au
D004501:Education, Medical; D006801:Humans; D019018:Imagery, Psychotherapy; D009048:Motor Skills; D011361:Professional Competence; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000592:standards*; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis