Supporting Anatomy Education with a 3D Puzzle in a VR Environment – Results from a Pilot Study

PubDate: September 2019

Teams: Otto-von-Guericke Universit

Writers: Daniel Pohlandt；Bernhard Preim；Patrick Saalfeld

PDF: Supporting Anatomy Education with a 3D Puzzle in a VR Environment – Results from a Pilot Study

Abstract

We designed an immersive VR system to support the imagination of complex anatomical structures. By solving a 3D puzzle of anatomical models, medical students learn names and spatial relations. The approach is proposed as a supplement to the work with traditional human body donors. To meet the needs of medical students and satisfy the different stages of learning, the approach contains different modes that help the student to gather and review medical knowledge. Additionally, different feedback mechanisms that support the student with the puzzle task are proposed. The concept is realized as a prototype application using the HTC Vive and the Unity game engine. This prototype is evaluated in a pilot study, where we investigate the general usefulness as well as the feedback mechanisms. The results suggest that a 3D puzzle in a fully immersive virtual reality environment can be a valuable extension to traditional teaching methods in the medical curriculum. Regarding the feedback, it is clear that a combination of vibrotactile feedback and a ghost copy approach are most promising.