Computer-Assisted Medical Education

This chapter is dedicated to educational applications of medical visualization techniques. Interactive 3D visualizations have great potential for anatomy education as well as for surgery education, with users ranging from high school students and physiotherapists to medical doctors who want to rehearse therapeutical interventions. Computer-assisted training systems enhance surgical manuals, surgical courses, and cadaver studies by providing up-to-date multimedia content. In particular case-based systems with self-assessment tools support problem-oriented learning and thus potentially improve problem-solving capabilities. Recent advances include web-based systems that enable personalized access with an individual profile and a list of favorite entries, as well as possibilities to upload content and discuss with colleagues. Among the potential users, case-based e-learning and interactive use of 3D models have also gained reasonable acceptance. In a recent survey, the majority of 176 German medical students answered that they like using such systems for educational purposes and for preparing exams [Birr et al., 2013]. In the same survey, it turned out that most multimedia systems based on canned drawings are criticized because of their low level of interactivity. However, the actual experience of medical students with interactive 3D visualizations is low. Thus, carefully designed and easy-to-use systems are required to stimulate the proliferation of educational systems based on interactive 3D visualizations.