Learning basic surgical skills with mental imagery: using the simulation centre in the mind.
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.
Sanders
Charles W
CW
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
Sadoski
Mark
M
van Walsum
Kim
K
Bramson
Rachel
R
Wiprud
Robert
R
Fossum
Theresa W
TW
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*