Looking at Social Interactions in Medical Education with Dual Eye-Tracking Technology: A Scoping Review

Social interactions are fundamental to effective medical practice, yet assessing these complex dynamics in educational settings remains challenging. This review critically examines the emerging use of dual eye-tracking technology as a novel method to quantify, analyze, and enhance social interactions within medical education contexts.

We performed a scoping review of the literature, focusing on studies that utilized dual eye-tracking within medical education contexts. Our search included multiple databases and journals. We extracted information on technical setups, areas of application, participant characteristics, dual eye-tracking metrics, and main findings.

Ten studies published between 2012 and 2021 met the inclusion criteria, with 90% utilizing dual screen-based- and 10% dual mobile eye-tracking. All studies were conducted in the context of surgical training, primarily focusing on laparoscopic surgery. We identified two main applications of dual eye-tracking: (1) as an educational intervention to improve collaboration, (2) as a diagnostic tool to identify interaction pattern that were associated with learning. Key metrics included joint visual attention, gaze delay and joint mental effort.

Dual eye-tracking offers a promising technology for enhancing medical education by providing high-resolution, real-time data on social interactions. However, current research is limited by small sample sizes, outdated technology, and a narrow focus on surgical contexts. We discuss the broader implications and potential for medical education research and practice.