Simulation Using Augmented Reality to Teach Body Angle Positioning for Radiography

Abstract

When students learn radiographic positioning during radiography practical training in educational institutions, they adjust the angle of the body using positioning aids and angle gauges. In contrast, radiologic technologists position patients using their own hands in clinical environments. In recent years, virtual simulations have been used to help students improve their clinical skills. However, because the existing simulations use computer-generated virtual environments, students cannot actually position human bodies or anthropomorphic phantoms. Therefore, we developed a simulation using augmented reality to teach radiographic positioning. This simulation allows learners to simulate angle placement by using both hands without positioning aids and angle gauges by looking at a virtual object that demonstrates the angle. The objective of this study was to investigate whether this simulation can be applied as a learning tool for radiography practical training and to examine future development directions for this simulation. We introduced the simulation in radiography practical training. The lumbar spine oblique projection was chosen as a learning task in this study, and an anthropomorphic phantom was used for practice. A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect feedback from the students at the end of the semester (n = 41). The survey results indicated that the students could practice positioning the angle of the body using only their own hands, demonstrating that the simulation could be applied as a learning tool in radiography practical training. Ongoing work will be conducted to develop a simulation in which students can practice with a human body.