Extended Reality Tools for Medical Training and Education

Abstract

The integration of extended reality (XR) in medical education represents a cutting-edge approach to simulation-based training. This study critically assesses XR software for medical teaching, with a focus on compatibility, medical specialization, and licensing requirements. The findings highlight the significant use in anatomy (44%) and surgical applications (26%). Virtual and mixed reality are the dominant technologies in this field, with the U.S. accounting for 62% of the companies involved. Specifically, HoloAnatomy, tested on HoloLens 2 and evaluated by seven healthcare professionals using NASA-TLX, was deemed intuitive and effective, though high device costs limit broader adoption. In conclusion, XR technologies hold substantial potential for advancing medical education, but the cost barriers must be overcome to enable wider implementation.