9 Roles of Augmented Reality in Surgical Training

Medical students and surgeons in training are using augmented reality platforms to operate on anatomical rubber or 3D models of the human form.

AR is ideal for medical students, residents, and active surgeons who are learning new procedures or training techniques.

Augmented reality in surgical training enhances the model, by displaying a photorealistic graphic overlay so that the user gets a highly accurate understanding of the anatomy as they operate.

What is Augmented Reality?

Augmented reality is a technology that enables the user to overlay digital content over the real world. The user doesn't lose touch with reality (as with virtual reality) but can't interact with the digital content (as with mixed reality).

9 Roles of Augmented Reality Surgery Training?

1. Substitute of hands-on OR experience

AR training exercises can help fill the gap when surgeons don't have access to hands-on operating room experiences.

2. Autonomy of the user

AR can be used in isolation from the user's home environment without supervision.

03. Repetition

AR lets surgeons practice procedures or techniques many times in realistic circumstances without having to practice on live patients.

04. Democratize surgical training

AR can also democratize access to training in areas limited in resources and won't offer its trainees access to hands-on learning experiences.

05. Remote learning

AR can also facilitate telemedicine and remote learning of new techniques.

06. Outcome measures

AR simulation has prevented the establishment of validated outcome measures.

07. Instrument-tracking

Instrument-tracking AR software would help to facilitate the measurement of objective variables such as “distance-to-target” and subsequently procedure-specific composite scores.

08. Variable learning experience

AR simulators can tailor a module to varying learner experience levels. Novice learners could be presented with a clinical scenario with multiple cues and guidance to proceed through the process, whereas these can be omitted for more senior learners.

09. Shorten the learning curve

AR can shorten the learning curves of surgical procedures to increase overall educational efficiency and patient safety.

AR is uniquely positioned to complement the next phase of surgical education, ultimately leading to improved skill acquisition and improvements in patient outcomes through more efficient operative procedures and fewer complications.