title: Learning basic surgical skills with mental imagery: using the simulation centre in the mind.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although surgeons and athletes frequently use mental imagery in preparing to perform, mental imagery has not been extensively researched as a learning technique in medical education.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  A mental imagery rehearsal technique was experimentally compared with textbook study to determine the effects of each on the learning of basic surgical skills.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-four Year 2 medical students were randomly assigned to 2 treatment groups in which they undertook either mental imagery or textbook study. Both groups received the usual skills course of didactic lectures, demonstrations, physical practice with pigs' feet and a live animal laboratory. One group received additional training in mental imagery and the other group was given textbook study. Performance was assessed at 3 different time-points using a reliable rating scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analysis of variance on student performance in live rabbit surgery revealed a significant interaction favouring the imagery group over the textbook study group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The mental imagery technique appeared to transfer learning from practice to actual surgery better than textbook study.
authors.affiliation: Scott & White Clinic, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, College of Medicine, Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas, USA. Sanders@medicine.tamhsc.edu
authors.forename: Charles W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Sanders
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sadoski
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: van Walsum
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bramson
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wiprud
authors.forename: Theresa W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Fossum
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods*; D004538:Eidetic Imagery; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007092:Imagination; D008606:Mental Processes; D012647:Self-Assessment; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*