Supporting Anatomy Education with a 3D Puzzle in a Virtual Reality Environment

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.

Different feedback mechanisms that support the student with the puzzle task in the virtual reality world, are proposed as well.

The concept is realized as a prototype application using the HTC Vive and the Unity game engine.

This prototype is evaluated in a qualitative user study.

Our pilot study suggests that a 3D puzzle in a fully immersive virtual reality environment can be a valuable extension to traditional teaching methods in the medical curriculum.

A comparative evaluation is needed to support this impression.