Introduction: Non-surgical skills involving hand-eye coordination and bimanual dexterity such as video game and musical instrument activities may have a transferable impact on the acquisition of ureteroscopy skills. In this study, we aim to investigate the predictors of initial ureteroscopy skills among novice trainees.

Methods: This was a prospective cohort study involving novice trainees with no prior ureteroscopy exposure. Non-surgical parameters were assessed with detailed survey, including age, gender, video game history, and musical background. Musical ability was further objectively evaluated with the mini-Profile of Music Perception Skills (mini-PROMS) test. Ureteroscopic performance was then evaluated using a Boston Scientific© flexible ureteroscope on a bench model. Each participant completed diagnostic ureteroscopy and stone extraction with a basket. Outcomes included both speed and quality of performance, based on an Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS) rubric.

Results: A total of 28 pre-clerkship medical students were included. Age and musical background were not associated with ureteroscopic aptitude, regardless of length or type of musical training. Those with video game history tended to perform ureteroscopy tasks faster with a higher OSATS score, although no statistical significance was reached. Male gender was associated with faster task completion with statistically higher OSATS score independent of video game activities (p=0.011), however the absolute score difference was small (4.6 points).

Conclusions: Among novice trainees, musical background was not associated with ureteroscopy skills. Video game experiences and male gender were associated with slightly faster and higher ureteroscopy technique scores, however the differences are small and unlikely to represent clinical significance. Nevertheless, the ureteroscopy models provide useful insights and should be adopted in training programs as a marker of skills progression.