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Handedness effects on procedural training in pediatrics
Dorothy Damore1, John Rutledge, Sharon Pan
1Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York 10065, USA. djt2001@med.cornell.edu
Clinical Pediatrics
|October 4, 2008
Summary
Left-handed physicians are significantly more likely to experience challenges during procedural training. This study highlights the impact of handedness on learning and performing medical procedures, with few receiving specialized training.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Surgical Training
- Handedness Research
Background:
- Procedural training is a cornerstone of medical education.
- Handedness, particularly left-handedness, may influence skill acquisition and performance.
- Understanding these effects is crucial for optimizing training methodologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of handedness on procedural learning and performance in pediatric trainees and attendings.
- To determine if left-handed physicians face unique challenges in acquiring procedural skills.
- To assess the prevalence of handedness training among physicians.
Main Methods:
- A web-based survey was administered to pediatric trainees and attendings across three institutions.
- The survey collected data on handedness, its effect on learning procedures, hand preference during procedures, and receipt of handedness training.
- Statistical analysis, including odds ratios and confidence intervals, was used to evaluate findings.
Main Results:
- Of 778 physicians, 39% completed the survey; 11% were left-handed.
- Left-handed physicians reported significantly more difficulty learning procedures (60% vs 7.7%) and were more likely to use their non-dominant or both hands (48.6% vs 21%).
- Left-handedness was associated with increased difficulty in learning lumbar puncture, intubation, and suturing.
Conclusions:
- Handedness significantly affects procedural training, particularly for left-handed physicians.
- Left-handed physicians experience greater challenges in learning and performing key medical procedures.
- There is a low incidence of formal handedness training, suggesting a need for tailored educational strategies.
