Integrating Mixed Reality Technologies in Learning Renal Anatomy: Advancing Educational Resource Development for Training Healthcare Professionals

This study presents the main results and challenges associated with the design, integration, and proof of concept (PoC) of a Mixed Reality (MR) kidney visualizer, developed to support renal anatomy learning at the Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN) in Mexico. This initial phase focused on developing a prototype as a preliminary step towards constructing a management model for the production of digital educational resources based on Mixed Reality (MR). The first phase of the project concentrated on digitizing a physical kidney model traditionally used in anatomy courses at medical faculties. To achieve this, instructional design methodologies were employed alongside advanced tools such as Unreal Engine and Blender. The proof of concept was conducted at the Escuela Nacional de Medicina y Homeopatia (ENMH) within the IPN using the standardized SUS method to assess the usability of the prototype, involving both anatomy professors and students. The integration of HoloLens 2 MR glasses enables the creation of immersive educational experiences and provides a robust computational platform to support the digitization and development of the Mixed Reality environment. The proof of concept validated the feasibility of the model and highlighted its potential to transform anatomical education. A comprehensive evaluation of the effectiveness of this tool in enhancing learning outcomes will be addressed in a subsequent pilot phase with a substantial sample size, followed by an impact assessment in the third phase of the project.