Extended Reality Anatomy for MD Students: Lessons Learned

The Yale School of Medicine (YSM) Surgery Department’s Anatomy Section conducted an innovative pilot program from July 2023 – December 2024, exploring extended reality of 3D models, which has yielded valuable insights for the future of educational technology. The YSM Educational Technology & Innovation team summarized lessons from the pilot for extended reality anatomy for MD students in a new one-page brief. While the integration of HoloLens devices and AnatomyX software presented initial excitement and cutting-edge appeal, the experiment revealed crucial lessons about the importance of physical access, model accuracy, and integration into course assignments or recognition. As the pilot program evolves, Yale is pivoting, including exploring alternative headsets, emphasizing the development of internally verified anatomical models, and expanding access through the Cushing/Whitney Medical Library's 24/7 facilities.