Motor coordination assessment in practicing surgeons and medical students.
BACKGROUND
Manual and motor coordination skills are commonly believed to be necessary for the surgical profession.


OBJECTIVE
To assess motor coordination skills in medical students, surgical residents and attending surgeons.


METHODS
The study group consisted of 17 surgeons and 44 medical students. All participants were tested with a number of tests for motor coordination. Statistical analysis with ANOVA/MANOVA methods, contrast analysis and post-hoc test as appropriate.


RESULTS
There were no gender related differences in coordination skills. The group of students had significantly lower results in comparison to surgeons. Statistical significance (p < 0.05) was observed in perception diversity test, and Perception-Diversity-Orientation Index. There was no statistically significant difference between residents and attending surgeons


CONCLUSIONS
Our results demonstrated that coordination skills are not related to gender. They may serve as one of the selection criteria to surgical profession. The level of coordination skills is helpful in designing of individual training program.
Szczepanik
A M
AM
Department of Surgery, Jagiellonian University Collegium Medicum, Krakow, Poland. msszczep@cyf-kr.edu.pl
Spieszny
M
M
Klocek
T
T
Szczepanik
M
M
Goroszeniuk
D
D
Kubisz
A
A
Kulig
J
J
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010820:Physicians; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D013337:Students, Medical