Video games are great for the basic skill of controlling something with your hands on some sort of instrument while looking at a screen. I fail to see how it would help with the issue of working against yourself or reversing orientation. Though I suppose you could switch back and forth from normal controls to "inverted" and force your brain to adapt repeatedly. Hmm, that might work. Dibs on oddjob.
In all seriousness, I'm getting a little wary of the emphasis on simulation and the associated simulated carriculum for lap and/or robotics. Don't get me wrong, working on the simulator is a great way to become acquainted with the instruments and controls, e.g. For the robot it is a great way to learn how to move the instruments/clutch the camera and even basic needle control, but these simulators fail utterly when it comes to interacting with tissue, traction/countertraction, and energy dissection. I feel (and have heard from residents at other programs) that these programs are being used too much in lieu of rather then in addition to first-hand operative experience.
I preferred the way my program handled it prior to instituting our curriculum. You were put on the console like you would be expected to do something in any other case. And if you were flailing and didn't know your way around the robot/lap instrument, the attending would boot you off. It was on you to prepare yourself adequately, just like if you show up to your cystectomy not knowing the steps or anatomy, you weren't going to get to do much.
