Using 3D-printing technology for patient education: a review of the literature

3D printing' is increasingly present in the health sector. The introduction of 3D printed models into the patient care pathway can be seen as a new patient education tool based on the principle of 'see to understand'. The aim of this review is to describe studies investigating the contribution of printed models to patient care and education, and to examine their limitations. A comprehensive PubMed database search was conducted to identify relevant studies. No date, author or language restrictions were imposed. This review focused on studying the impact of a 3D organ model on 5 categories: understanding of the disease and/or the anatomy of the organ, understanding of the surgical plan and its implications, doctor-patient communication, patient satisfaction and patient anxiety. The review selected 45 articles published between 2015 and 2024. Of these, 41 articles investigated the effect of using a 3D model on understanding of the disease and/or the organ concerned. 33 articles evaluated the understanding of treatment, and the risks associated. 13 articles assessed the effect of the model on doctor-patient communication. Patient satisfaction was measured in 22 articles, and 9 articles measured patient anxiety.

Most of the articles analyzed-27 out of 45-demonstrate a significant enhancement in at least one category of patient education, underscoring the promising potential of 3D technology in this field. However, several methodological limitations temper these promising findings, highlighting the need for further research. Future studies should address these limitations and explore new methodologies to fully exploit 3D's potential.