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Surgeons Are Using Video Games to Sharpen Their Skills – and You Can Play Too

Photo Credit: Pixabay

A good game can help you pass the time while you’re waiting at doctor’s appointments. But some games…some games really take things to the next level.

Level Ex, a Chicago-based video game company, has developed a series of games to help doctors get even better at their specialties. The games include Airway Ex, for anesthesiologists, Gastro Ex, for gastroenterologists, Pulm Ex, for pulmonologists, and Cardio Ex, which is designed for cardiologists.

In the games, doctors diagnose virtual patients and deal with surgical complications. The game offers 3D graphics and complications along the way to ensure a real-life experience. Doctors play against a clock and can compare their scores to other surgeons.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Level Ex is working on expanding its line-up to offer games for medical students and junior doctors as well. The games are based on real cases, which doctors can submit.

Does an app actually help doctors? Anecdotal evidence says it actually does, and Level Ex is also doing studies to see how the app translates into real-life skill improvements. Today’s surgeries are often done using high-tech tools, though, so it is possible that could translate well to an app. Level Ex certainly seems to be popular with doctors, as more than 400,000 doctors are using it.

Want to give it a try? The doctor games might be challenging, but Level Ex has partnered with the American Heart Association to create an app that teaches CPR. The augmented reality experience is available in the Android version of My Cardiac Coach.

The doctor apps are free and are available for iOS and Android.