What qualities are important for 3D printed neurosurgical training models? A survey of clinicians and other health professionals following an interactive exhibition

3D printing is increasingly used to fabricate medical devices and educational models, yet most studies to-date focus on a particular case study or training scenario. This study instead seeks to understand the relative importance of different qualities for 3D printed anatomical training models, including haptics, accuracy and costs. Clinicians at a major Australian hospital were presented with 24 3D printed prototypes for neurosurgical education in an interactive exhibition. These were produced by undergraduate industrial design students. A post-exhibition survey found that the top quality required in a 3D printed educational model was to feel realistic (33%), followed by accuracy to real anatomy (27%). A separate survey of other health professionals working within health-related disciplines and research also supported these two qualities as most important after attending the exhibition. 60% of clinicians left the exhibition believing that 3D printing plays a moderate or significant role in the hospital/health system, while 100% of other health professionals shared this same opinion. With a range of materials, 3D print and other technologies employed in the production of the models, this unique study helps clarify the core considerations when designing and 3D printing educational models for neurosurgery and other medical disciplines, and highlights some of the differences between clinicians and other health professionals in relation to the technology.