Prospective quasi-experimental study on 3D-printed model-assisted patient counseling in women's reproductive health

Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology is increasingly utilized across diverse medical fields. In reproductive women's health, a few 3D models were reported to enhance surgical pre-planning or improve the clinical skills of medical trainees. There is scarce data on its application in patients' education and counselling in the context of reproductive health. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of 3D-printed models for patient counselling on common female reproductive health concerns and disorders. In addition, we assessed the feasibility of producing these models without the need for industrial manufacturing.

We employed a prospective quasi-experimental (Pretest-Posttest) design. Various prototypes of 3D-printed models of female reproductive organs, representative of normal anatomy and common reproductive pathologies, were developed. Study participants were patients visiting outpatient women's health clinics for conditions that could be anatomically demonstrated using the 3D models. Patients' understanding was evaluated using a structured questionnaire administered before and after 3D model-assisted counselling, assessing changes in knowledge scores related to diagnostic and management aspects such as female reproductive anatomy, lesion size and location, complications, and procedural interventions.

Developing various 3D-printed models was achieved in-house with minimal training of a team of clinicians, with overall feasible logistics and a low-cost, time-efficient process. Among the 72 women enrolled, 84.7 % reported an increased understanding following the 3D model-assisted counselling by an interviewer, following the conventional counselling by their Gynecologist in the same clinical encounter. The mean knowledge score significantly improved from 14.86 (±6.3) before counselling to 27.8 (±2.5) afterward (p < 0.001). We observed that the participants' level of education and prior knowledge of their diagnosis significantly influenced the change in knowledge scores. The overall patient satisfaction with the 3D-printed models assisted counselling was positive, with 73.6 % (N = 53) rating it as excellent and 23.6 % (N = 17) as very good.

Integrating 3D-printed models into routine patient counselling is feasible and may significantly enhance patient education and satisfaction in the field of women's health.

Clinicians can include 3D-printed models at the office as aids for patient counselling and education.