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Augmented Reality in Surgical Training: Systematic Review of Its Impact on Technical Performance in Surgical Trainees
Mahmoud El Ashry1, Ahmed El Ashry1, Hamza Khalique1
1Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Beacon House, Queens Road, Bristol, BS8 1QU, United Kingdom, 44 7448827361.
JMIR Medical Education
|June 3, 2026
Summary
Augmented reality (AR) enhances surgical training for novices, improving technical skills and reducing errors. While beneficial for beginners, its impact diminishes for experienced surgeons, indicating a need for tailored educational approaches.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Surgical Technology
- Human-Computer Interaction
Background:
- Surgical training is evolving, with augmented reality (AR) emerging as a significant technological advancement.
- AR overlays digital information onto the real-world environment, offering trainees spatial cues and guidance during procedures.
- The effectiveness of AR in improving surgical trainees' technical skills remains under investigation due to limited and heterogeneous studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and assess the impact of augmented reality (AR) on the objective technical skills of surgical trainees compared to traditional training methods.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted across major databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, IEEE Xplore, Scopus, Web of Science) for studies published between January 2020 and September 2025.
- Eleven studies, including 9 randomized controlled trials and 2 prospective cohort studies, met the inclusion criteria after rigorous screening.
- A narrative synthesis adhering to SWiM guidelines was performed on the 11 selected studies, analyzing data across 5 thematic domains to address heterogeneity.
Main Results:
- The analysis included 11 studies (347 participants) published between 2021-2025, utilizing various AR platforms like Microsoft HoloLens and Magic Leap One.
- Nine studies reported improvements in objective technical metrics, with consistent findings in error reduction (5/5 studies) and faster learning curves (4/11 studies).
- An "expertise reversal" effect was noted, where AR significantly benefited novices but showed diminishing returns for experienced surgeons, alongside reduced cognitive workload (3/11 studies).
Conclusions:
- Augmented reality (AR) demonstrably enhances technical performance in surgical novices, especially for tasks requiring complex visuospatial reasoning.
- AR is a valuable tool for surgical education, offering significant benefits for less experienced trainees.
- Future research should prioritize multicenter trials to assess long-term skill retention and the cost-effectiveness of AR in clinical surgical training.
