Augmented Reality In Medical Education: Enhancing Learning Outcomes In Valvular Heart Disease Training

Augmented reality (AR) has emerged as a transformative tool in medical education, bridging the gap between theoretical learning and clinical practice. The present study aimed to design, develop, and evaluate an AR-based educational handbook to enhance the understanding of valvular heart diseases among medical students. This applied research was conducted in two stages: (۱) design and content validation of the AR handbook, and (۲) implementation and evaluation of its educational effectiveness. The content was selected based on the cardiology curriculum and validated by expert cardiologists. Multimedia educational videos were integrated into the printed handbook using QR codes, enabling interactive visualization of real cardiac cases. The educational intervention was applied to two groups of medical students (AR-based learning vs. traditional lecture method). User experience was evaluated using the validated User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ), and learning outcomes were compared using a standardized knowledge test. Results showed significantly higher performance among students in the AR-based learning group (mean score ۱۷.۲۳) compared to the traditional group (mean score ۱۵.۵۴; p < ۰.۰۵). Moreover, students rated the AR handbook highly in terms of attractiveness, efficiency, clarity, and dependability, while stimulation and novelty were above average. These findings suggest that AR-based handbooks can effectively enhance motivation, engagement, and comprehension of complex cardiac concepts.

Keywords:

Augmented reality , Medical education , Valvular heart diseases , User experience , Educational innovation