Imagine all you want, but….

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Informatics
• Health Sciences Education

Background:

• 3D printing is an emerging technology with significant potential in healthcare.
• Medical libraries are increasingly involved in adopting new technologies to support their institutions.
• The integration of 3D printing in libraries can bridge the gap between technological advancements and practical applications in medicine.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a basic 3D printer acquired through a National Library of Medicine grant within a medical library setting.
• To assess the role of 3D printing in advancing patient care and enhancing medical education.
• To determine the sustainability and growth potential of a 3D printing program in a medical library.

Main Methods:

• Acquisition of a basic 3D printer using grant funding from the National Library of Medicine.
• Development of 3D printed models for patient care and medical education purposes.
• Tracking the adoption, demand, and impact of the 3D printing technology over a one-year grant cycle and subsequent years.

Main Results:

• Initial slow adoption of the 3D printer was followed by a significant increase in demand through word-of-mouth.
• The 3D printer demonstrably advanced patient care for clinicians and improved medical education for students.
• Sustained interest from clinicians and students indicated the program's viability and positive impact.

Conclusions:

• Even a basic 3D printer can be a valuable asset in a medical library, significantly contributing to patient care and education.
• The demand for 3D printed models highlights the need for such technologies in medical settings.
• Medical libraries can effectively leverage 3D printing to support their core mission of improving community health and fostering enhanced learning environments.