[Drawing improves understanding of anatomy, operation planning and communication]

This review summarises the knowledge of drawing as a learning tool. Drawing is a skill, which can be used by doctors in communicating with their patients. It also seems, that drawing supplements traditional learning methods and improves learning and retention of knowledge. Drawing is used by some doctors for planning of operations and as a visual tool to explain procedures and improve communication with patients. New visual technologies like augmented reality, virtual reality and 3D printing seem promising when used for training surgical skills and anatomy or planning operations.