Surgeons increasingly lack the manual dexterity to do their jobs — and it may stem from the decline of hands-on hobbies among children, according to The New York Times.
The New York Times spoke with medical school faculty who have observed declining fine motor skills among students. They pointed to fewer classes like woodshop or drawing and painting, as well as more time spent with screens than with hands-on hobbies like building models, sewing or playing the piano.
Surgeons are selected based on smarts, but hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills are also critical to good patient outcomes. Other skills built through hands-on activities, like three-dimensional thinking, strategic planning and patience, also contribute to success as a surgeon, the report notes.
These skills can be improved with practice, but some experts told The New York Times they believe a certain kinesthetic intelligence can only be built at a young age.
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