Trauma Center: Second Opinion
From Atlus Software
The follow-up to Trauma Center - Under the Knife, this is the first surgical video game for the Nintendo Wii. Sure, we've all imagined what it would be like to become a doctor. Years of medical school, residency, and clinic duty eventually pay off in a rewarding position saving people's lives. Or, you could skip all that and just put in a few hours after dinner.
The critically acclaimed medical drama simulation is making a house call on your Wii! Dr. Derek Stiles is back, but he's not the only surgeon on call?a new player joins the team, bringing along everything the doctor ordered: difficulty modes, new surgical implements like the defibrillator, and an exciting never-before-seen conclusion. So what are you waiting for? If one dose of Trauma Center wasn't enough, it's time you got a Second Opinion!
As an educator I am routinely challenged to present the vocational world in a way that is accesible and interesting. Many if not most professionals do not do this particularly well. Getting kids TO college is a far cry from helping them decide what they should do once they get there. Games such as this could help.
I think Nintendo should develop an entire line of vocational samples and package them in one or a few games. I would especially like to see:
1) engineer, designer, architect, mechanic, computer technician, security professional, technical support rep, computer programmer, technical analyst
2) parent, manager, educator, coach, trainer, institional psychologist , social worker, HR manager, politician, organizational executive or leader
3) disaster relief worker, paramedic, fire fighter, police officer, explorer, soldier
4) financial professional, accountant, banker, investor, actuary, collection specialist
5) chef, waiter, fast food service worker
6) contractor, carpenter, electrician, plumber
7) driver, pilot, skipper, in-transit attendant, travel agent
8) inside sales, telemarketing, car sales, store clerk, cashier, insurance sales
9) research scientist, theoretician, politician, lawyer, legal and medical claims technician, insurance adjuster, detective, investigator, systems analyst
10) library tech , semi-skilled researcher , administrative assistant , secretarial work , filing , billing , telephonic customer support
11) (and of course health care) doctor , pathologist , nurse , OT , PT , psychotherapist , x-ray tech , lab technician , hospital administrator , health care insurance specialist
Any jobs that have a fairly high representation in the global job market or represent fields with especially high romanticization, disatisfaction or turnover seem like good choices.
I see MANY kids leave high school with the ambition and talent to go to med school, but without the correct disposition!. It's just PROFOUNDLY disturbing to see them again 4-6 years later as disillusioned college graduates in fast food, retail sales or office administration because they decided too late that medicine was not the career for them--and they either had no plan B, or placed no emphasis on a backup career. There are geniuses out there who could be making a substantial contribution to society, but who turned from medicine in their junior and senior years of college simply because they couldn't stand the sight of blood.
Programs like this one (when well designed and integrating substantial field expertise) have the potential to save parents, nations and most importantly young people so much heartache and money lost stalwartly pursuing fruitless and romantic ambitions instead of experiencing the satisfaction of realizing practical (and achievable) goals.
Trauma Center: Second Opinion
