Feasibility of mixed-reality telecollaboration to enhance pre-medical student shadowing education

IntroductionMedical school admissions are highly competitive, leading to high attrition rates, particularly among underserved minority (URM) students. Mentorship and clinical exposure are critical for the success of URM students, but limited access to these experiences can be due to factors such as time constraints and transportation barriers. Augmented reality (AR) has the potential to revolutionize medical education for pre-medical students by providing engaging and accessible clinical shadowing opportunities. This study aims to investigate the feasibility and impact of integrating OpticSurgs Vision Beyond(R) AR platform into the educational experience of students shadowing the Emergency Department (ED). The study will focus on students experience using the Vision Beyond(R) platform and the potential strengths and weaknesses associated with the overall use of the device. MethodsThe study included Hofstra pre-medical undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students of good academic standing and character all cleared to shadow in the Long Island Jewish Medical Center Emergency Department (ED), aged 18 or older. This pilot study explored the use of Vision Beyond(R) AR glasses, for remote pre-medical education. Students who were not present in the ED accessed medical teaching materials using de-identified resources available on the internet, such as CT scans, EKGs, lab results, physical examination findings, ultrasounds, and X-rays. No patients were involved in the study. The educator used the Vision Beyond(R) goggles to start a session and invited the students to participate through the Vision Beyond(R) website. Students utilized the interactive feature to indicate areas where they desired greater detail or explanation. After each session, students completed a survey to assess their experience, including demographics, system usability, ease of use for specific topics, overall impression, and the strengths and weaknesses of the platform. ResultFifteen pre-medical and post-baccalaureate students participated in the study. Students rated the device on a 1-to-5 scale (1 = Strongly disagree, 5 = Strongly agree) for ease of use and learnability. On average, the ratings for these categories were 4 or above. The incidence of motion sickness and nausea received an average rating of 1.8 out of 5. ConclusionThe pilot program using OpticSurgs Vision Beyond(R) platform showed promise, with students reporting a positive experience and finding the device easy to use. However, challenges such as internet connectivity issues and limitations of the AR goggles were noted. Future research should explore how this technology can enhance diversity in the medical field.