Augmented and Virtual Reality in a Medical Curriculum

Increasingly sophisticated digital technologies, such as augmented reality (AR)and virtual reality (VR), are steadily altering the way surgeons practice medicine. The digital age is forcing physicians to adopt new technical skills in addition to their manual abilities in response to new technological developments. Research has shown that use of this new technology has yet to be incorporated into medical education. Given the complexity of the technology, the use of AR and VR alone is not sufficient; students must have some basic knowledge of a wider range of medical technologies. Experts are not sure what the profile of a surgeon will look like in the next few years, but it will incorporate more technology. This study analysed the Swiss medical curriculum to confirm that students do not get an appropriate education in terms of medical technology. Data were collected from questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with students, resident physicians, head surgeons and a dean from a Swiss medical faculty. The study analyses five main sources:1) self-assessments of students and resident physicians on their use of AR and VR, 2)assessments from head surgeons of the abilities of their students and resident physicians in using AR and VR, 3) records of the use of AR and VR in surgery, 4) technical evolution in surgery, and 5) the insights of a dean. The results show the initial claim of this thesis is valid and underpin the necessity of such research.