MedEd Deep Dive

In this episode, we explore how augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR) are reshaping medical education. We dive into a comprehensive study using the Web of Science that tracks the rise of VR since the 1990s, the explosion of AR with the advent of smartphones, and the early developments of MR. From surgical simulations to empathy training, we discuss how XR technologies are transforming how health professionals learn and practice, paving the way for a more interactive, immersive future in healthcare education.

Link to the publication: https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/201904.0323/v1

What is MedEd Deep Dive?

MedEd DeepDive: Where Innovation Meets Education

Whether you're a student navigating the complexities of medical school, an educator striving to improve learning outcomes, a researcher pushing the boundaries of knowledge, or a policymaker shaping the future of medical education—this podcast is for you.

In Season 1 of MedEd DeepDive, we explore the cutting-edge innovations transforming how we teach and learn. From the use of AI and chatbots to combat vaccine misinformation to the game-changing potential of virtual simulations and the metaverse in medical training, our episodes dive into the latest research and real-world applications. We'll also discuss innovative tools like serious games, escape rooms, and virtual patients that make learning more immersive and effective.

Join us as we examine the technological advancements and essential human elements of healthcare education, highlighting how strategies like interprofessional education, team-based learning, and even traditional methods like moulage can create a more holistic and impactful approach.

Subscribe now to stay ahead of the curve and participate in the conversation shaping the future of healthcare education.

Yassin:

Ready to dive into the future medicine, everybody?

Zaynab:

I'd say.

Yassin:

Today, we're tackling extended reality XR and how it's gonna completely change the game for new doctors.

Zaynab:

And maybe even for patients.

Yassin:

Now that's a win win if I've ever heard one.

Zaynab:

No. You

Yassin:

know, I'm a bit of a tech geek, so this research paper you sent over, about XR and medical education really blew my mind. But let's back up for a second. We're talking virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality. What does it all mean? And how is it actually being used to train the doctors of tomorrow?

Zaynab:

It's a mouthful. I know. Essentially, picture a line, a spectrum. On one end, you have the completely real world, and way over on the other end, you're totally virtual.

Yassin:

I'm picturing it like a digital tight rope walk.

Zaynab:

This 2019 research paper calls it the, get this, reality virtuality continuum.

Yassin:

Okay. Catchy. So talk to me. What's on either end of this this continuum?

Zaynab:

At one end, you have virtual reality, VR. That's your classic headset on. You're suddenly in a different world experience. Like you're scrubbing in for surgery, virtually. Totally.

Zaynab:

And on the other

Yassin:

end On the other end, you've got augmented reality or AR, where the real

Zaynab:

world gets a digital upgrade. Imagine, instead of those shaky cafe drawings to explain your surgery, you can show your family a 3 d model right there on the table.

Yassin:

Okay. Now we're talking. No more napkin diagrams. So no more relying on shaky cafe drawings to explain procedures to your friends and family. But we've got VR on one end, AR on the other.

Yassin:

What about the in between? That's where mixed reality comes in.

Zaynab:

You got it. MR. It's a bit of both worlds. You're interacting with real and virtual objects at the same time. Harder to wrap your head around, I know.

Zaynab:

Like, imagine you're looking at

Yassin:

a real patient, but you can also see virtual anatomical overlays or or guidance markers right there in real time. Wow. That's next level stuff. Sounds straight out of Star Trek.

Zaynab:

Uh-huh.

Yassin:

But this research paper we're diving into focuses specifically on how VR, AR, and MR are being studied in the classroom.

Zaynab:

Yeah.

Yassin:

How are these tools changing how doctors learn?

Zaynab:

Exactly. And get this, the research itself actually follows the same timeline as the tech. VR research really took off in the nineties, right, when computing power was exploding, Moore's Law, you know, where computer power doubles every 2 years. Suddenly, these really complex virtual environments were actually possible.

Yassin:

So not a coincidence that AR research starts taking off around 2,008 ish.

Zaynab:

Right when everyone's got a smartphone in their pocket, those powerful cameras and sensors suddenly made AR way more accessible. The tech finally caught up with the imagination.

Yassin:

So true. But why do you think MR research seems to be a little late to the party? The paper hints at a few reasons.

Zaynab:

It's still early days for MR research for sure. For one thing, MR is really complex. You're trying to get real and virtual elements to play nicely together, and that is no easy feat. Plus, you need a deeper understanding of spatial computing, how to map the environment in real time that's still evolving quickly.

Yassin:

Makes you wonder what kind of wild MR medical tools we'll have in 10 years. But for now, let's dig into how VR and AR are already shaping medical training.

Zaynab:

Alright.

Yassin:

So VR, the research really zooms in on surgery simulation Yeah. Especially anything involving endoscopes.

Zaynab:

Right. Those tiny cameras they use for minimally invasive procedures.

Yassin:

Yeah. Like, when they go in through your belly button. Why are endoscopic procedures such a good fit for VR training, do you think?

Zaynab:

It's all about precision. Right? Endoscopy involves these tiny instruments, complex anatomy, very little room for error. VR lets you practice these delicate procedures without, well, the risk. The paper actually calls out a simulator called LapSim.

Zaynab:

Surgeons have been training on that for laparoscopic procedures for a while.

Yassin:

It's like a surgical time machine. You can rewind and try again. I bet that's reassuring for both the surgeons in training and their future patients. The VR is not just about surgery. Right?

Zaynab:

Definitely not.

Yassin:

What else?

Zaynab:

Anatomy for 1. Instead of memorizing textbooks, students can interact with, like, virtual hearts and stuff. Dissecting, reassembling, you get a much better feel for the human body when you can hold a 3 d beating heart in your hands.

Yassin:

Woah. I woulda aced anatomy with that tech back in the day. Speaking of cool tech, let's talk AR. Where does it really shine in medical training?

Zaynab:

AR is the king of real time guidance. Picture this. You're a medical student, and you're about to do your first lumbar puncture. Pretty nerve wracking. Right?

Yassin:

I'd be sweating.

Zaynab:

With AR, you'd wear these glasses that place virtual markers onto a real model guiding your hand, like having an expert whispering in your ear, but way less creepy. That's incredible. So for procedures that need a steady hand and split second

Yassin:

decisions, AR could be revolutionary. This isn't just for students though, is it? Could seasoned doctors use AR to stay sharp or learn new techniques?

Zaynab:

100%. AR has huge potential for continuing medical education. It could be a way for doctors to stay updated without having to take time away from their practice, more

Yassin:

accessible, more effective for everyone. Love it. So we've got VR for lifelike simulations, AR for real time guidance. But this paper mentions other uses too, like using XR to cultivate empathy and better communication skills, and I am here for it.

Zaynab:

Right. It's not all about scalpels and sutures. Being a doctor is about connecting with people.

Yassin:

And the human side of medicine is crucial. Let's take a quick break, folks. When we come back, we'll unpack how XR is being used to train doctors for some of the most human and often most difficult aspects of patient care. Don't go anywhere. And we are back.

Yassin:

Before the break, we were about to dive into how XR can help doctors with those critical, often emotionally charged moments in patient care. It's one thing to master a surgical technique, but how do you prepare for things like delivering bad news or talking about sensitive topics like vaccines?

Zaynab:

Such an important part of medical training and, honestly, one that's often overlooked. It's not always about what you know, but how you communicate it.

Yassin:

Totally. And that's where XR comes in, offering some incredible tools. There was this one study in the research paper where they actually used VR to help doctors in training have more effective conversations about vaccines. Can you tell me a little more about that?

Zaynab:

Absolutely. So picture this. You're a doctor, and you've got a parent who's hesitant about vaccinating their child. Tough conversation. Right?

Yassin:

Yeah. Absolutely.

Zaynab:

This study used VR to simulate those exact interactions. Doctors in training could practice having these conversations, addressing concerns, and communicating the benefits of vaccines all in a safe environment. It's

Yassin:

like a rehearsal space for these crucial conversations. Right? Did the study talk about how effective this kind of VR training actually was?

Zaynab:

It gets even more interesting. They actually followed these doctors into their real practices.

Yassin:

Oh, wow. So they weren't just playing pretend in the lab?

Zaynab:

Not at all. And the results were wild. Doctors who had the VR training actually saw a significant drop in vaccine refusal rates from their patients compared to those who didn't.

Yassin:

Wow. That is huge. So this isn't just about fancy tech. It's about actually improving patient outcomes, and that's what it's all about. Right?

Zaynab:

100%. This study just shows how VR can be used not just for technical skills, but for crucial soft skills that are key for patient care.

Yassin:

Bridging that gap between textbook knowledge and, well, real humans with real emotions.

Zaynab:

Exactly.

Yassin:

And I bet you can apply that to all sorts of sensitive topics doctors have to navigate with patients, not just vaccines.

Zaynab:

For sure. The research paper mentioned other studies using VR to train doctors in, well, end of life care, breaking bad news, and addressing cultural beliefs. Those are the kinds of conversations that can really impact a patient's trust in their doctor.

Yassin:

So having a safe space to kinda rehearse those moments beforehand could make a world of difference.

Zaynab:

Exactly. And the beauty of VR is you can really personalize those simulations. Wanna practice talking to a skeptical teenager about mental health?

Yassin:

Well

Zaynab:

VR can create that scenario. Need to brush up on cultural sensitivity when discussing a terminal illness? VR can help with that too.

Yassin:

It's like a communication boot camp, but for the human side of medicine. Now we've been talking a lot about VR, but what about AR? Where does it fit in with this whole empathy and communication training?

Zaynab:

Great question. So VR is amazing at simulating real life situations. Right? But AR brings its own advantages to the table. Imagine a doctor wearing AR glasses that give them gentle reminders during a patient consultation.

Yassin:

Okay. So instead of frantically taking notes or trying to remember everything from med school, they've got this little assistant in their ear guiding them through the conversation.

Zaynab:

Exactly. It's not about replacing the doctor's expertise but augmenting it. Like, the AR system could flag potential drug interactions or remind them about patient allergies based on their history. It could even offer suggestions for culturally sensitive ways to communicate based on the patient's background.

Yassin:

It's almost like a superpower, giving doctors the tools to be even better listeners and responders with more empathy and accuracy. But this is all amazing in theory. I keep thinking about the real world application. We've seen how VR training for those vaccine conversations leads to higher vaccination rates down the line, but are there other examples of XR actually improving patient care?

Zaynab:

That's the $1,000,000 question, isn't it? And, honestly, we need a lot more research in this area.

Yassin:

Right.

Zaynab:

But there are glimmers of hope. This research paper mentioned a study where surgeons who train on a VR simulator for laparoscopic surgery, They actually had shorter surgery times and fewer complications compared to those who only had traditional training.

Yassin:

See, now that's what I'm talking about. Shorter surgeries, fewer complications, that's a win win for everybody.

Zaynab:

Absolutely. And it shows how XR can be used not just to improve skills, but to actually have real benefits for patients.

Yassin:

Now that is exciting. This tech is clearly here to stay. It feels like XR could totally reshape medical training from the ground up, but I feel like there's so much more to uncover here.

Zaynab:

Definitely.

Yassin:

What does this all mean for the future of medicine? We'll be back to explore that very question, so don't go anywhere.

Zaynab:

And we are back. We've covered so much ground from those virtual operating rooms to using AR for empathy training. XR is clearly about to shake things up in medical education, but I think the question on everyone's mind is, where do we go from here?

Yassin:

It's not enough to just geek out over the tech. Right. We have to be smart about how we use this, use it for good.

Zaynab:

Exactly. So let's talk future. What are the biggest challenges and opportunities for XR in medical education? One thing that keeps popping up in the research is we need better standards.

Yassin:

Standards.

Zaynab:

Right now, it feels like everyone's doing their own thing. You know? Makes it tough to compare results from different studies to figure out what really works.

Yassin:

It's like we're trying to solve a medical mystery, but without a common language. Right?

Zaynab:

Exactly. We need clear guidelines for everything, building a curriculum, how to measure if it's even working, heck, even the tech specs of the XR systems themselves. That way we can really start comparing apples to apples and use that information to build better training programs, make them effective, make them scalable. You know?

Yassin:

Scalability. Such a good point. Not every hospital has a Hollywood budget. How do we make sure this technology is available to every doctor, every medical student who could benefit from it, not just a select few?

Zaynab:

No. That's a great question. The good news is XR Tech is getting cheaper and easier to use all the time. Think back to those clunky VR headsets from the nineties.

Yassin:

Oh, man. I remember those.

Zaynab:

Night and day compared to the stuff we have now. Sleek, lightweight.

Yassin:

Yeah.

Zaynab:

And don't even get me started on mobile VR.

Yassin:

You could do VR on your phone now.

Zaynab:

Oh, yeah. Turns your smartphone into a virtual reality portal. Crazy.

Yassin:

That's amazing. It's like putting cutting edge medical training in everyone's pocket. Right. But cost isn't the only hurdle. Right?

Zaynab:

Right.

Yassin:

We also have to think about the digital divide. Make sure that every medical student, every doctor has the hardware, the software, the Internet access to actually use this stuff.

Zaynab:

Absolutely. We can't let XR make those inequalities in health care even worse. We have to invest in the infrastructure, teach people how to use this tech, and make absolutely sure those XR training programs are designed with equity in mind from day 1.

Yassin:

Everyone deserves a chance to benefit from these advancements no matter what. And this just sparked the thought for me. We've been focusing on doctors, but XR training, that could help other health care workers too. Right? Nurses, EMTs.

Zaynab:

Now you're talking. Nurses, paramedics, pharmacists, you name it.

Yassin:

Imagine a VR program to help nurses practice responding to a code blue or paramedics practicing triage in a mass casualty event. Those are high stress situations.

Zaynab:

And XR lets them hone those skills in a safe environment.

Yassin:

Right.

Zaynab:

Brilliant. We could even use it to train entire teams, doctors, nurses, everyone working together in a virtual hospital before they ever step foot in a real one.

Yassin:

Now that would be revolutionary, this whole conversation. It's got me thinking bigger picture. XR has the potential to do for health care education what, like, the printing press did for sharing knowledge.

Zaynab:

Wow. I like that.

Yassin:

It's about making knowledge information more accessible, more engaging, more effective.

Zaynab:

And that's the power of this tech. We're on the edge of something big here, a new era for medical education. No more boring textbooks. No more stuffy lecture halls. We're talking about learning by doing in these incredible virtual worlds that feel real.

Yassin:

Now that's a future I'm excited to be a part of. So last question. For everyone listening, what's the one thing you hope they take away from our XR deep dive?

Zaynab:

I'd say XR is more than just a fad. It's a powerful tool that has the potential to completely transform how we think about health care. But it's up to all of us to make sure we're using it the right way for the benefit of everyone, aspiring doctors, seasoned physicians, and most importantly, the patients they serve.

Yassin:

I love it. Couldn't have said it better myself. As always, a huge thank you to you for sharing your expertise with us today. Fascinating stuff.

Zaynab:

The pleasure's all mine. Always a great conversation.

Yassin:

And to our listeners, thank you for joining us on this journey into the future of medicine. We'll catch you next time, same time, same place for another deep dive into the ideas shaping our world. Until then, stay curious out there.