Holographic Technology Replacing Cadavers In Medical Training

Case Western Reserve University is leading the way in medical training innovations by implementing the use of holographic technology for anatomical models.

The university hopes to build a partnership with Microsoft so as to blend the virtual reality device HoloLens into traditional medical training. Consumers and industry analysts have already witnessed how the Microsoft HoloLens can be used for games such as Minecraft, but this is the first time the technology has been used in medical training.

Students at Case Western are able to use the head-mounted virtual display to interact with anatomical models without the use of a cadaver. This innovative use of holographic technology enables students to examine nervous systems, skeletal structures, and organs so that they can see how all these systems work together as a whole.

Educators believe that the use of this technology for introducing students to hands-on anatomy will be especially useful for boosting students’ confidence before having to grapple with the stress of performing a procedure on a real patient.

One of the things frequently cited as a top awkward moment for new doctors is the first time seeing a cadaver. While HoloLens technology should by no means be used to completely replace the use of cadavers for medical training, perhaps the 3D holographic images could be used to ease medical students into this aspect of medical training.