Surgeons should do warm-up exercises
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
The increasing use of robotic and minimally invasive surgery means doctors today need to have superb manual dexterity and fine-motor skills. These operations involve inserting a tiny camera and instruments into small openings in the body to cut, remove or mend tissues. A new study suggests that surgeons may benefit from pre-operative warm-up exercises to prepare them for the cognitive and physical challenges ahead.
The study, from researchers at Arizona State University, found that 15 to 20 minutes of simple exercises leads to a substantial increase in the proficiency of surgical skills by raising alertness and protecting against fatigue. The study involved 46 surgeons who practiced a series of standardized exercises involving such things as hand movement, tool movement and cognitive skills. The surgeons were then tested by performing a difficult procedure in a simulation. The study is published in this month’s edition of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.
‘Warm-up exercises are a ‘common sense’ practice in many high-stakes professions, such as professional sports or dance,’ said the lead author of the study, Kanav Kahol, in a news release. ‘This study begins to lay a scientific foundation for adopting this approach in routine surgical practice, which has become increasingly rigorous and demanding.’
-- Shari Roan