Augmented reality for surgical skills training, update on the topic

Abstract

Augmented reality (AR) combines digital information with physical reality, allowing users to interact with virtual data in their real environment. In medical education, this technology is attractive because it allows access to information without taking your eyes off the surgical field. The integration of surgical simulators in resident training offers flexible practice without direct supervision, with benefits such as objective performance evaluation, practice of unusual procedures, and the development of non-technical skills. In addition, simulators are useful for teaching new techniques to experts. In summary, AR and simulators offer valuable opportunities to improve surgical training. The objective of this review is to update the current state of augmented reality in surgical training. The use of augmented reality as an assessment tool in surgical training presents interesting perspectives that deserve consideration. AR can provide objective performance metrics by measuring the technical competency of surgical trainees, whether in a simulated operating environment or in real-world situations. This offers the opportunity to address subjective variability and potential bias in current assessment methods, which often rely on supervisor observation and rating. However, despite these advantages, there has not yet been a comprehensive review to evaluate the use of AR in surgical training. The cost-benefit and implications for data management have not yet been addressed.