Palpation, a cornerstone of medical examination, relies on the practitioner's tactile acuity and anatomical expertise. This paper introduces an innovative augmented reality (AR) approach to enhance foot palpation training and practice. Traditionally, developing proficiency in palpation techniques requires extensive hands-on experience, which can be time-consuming and inconsistent. To address these challenges, we have developed an AR application for foot palpation training that provides real-time guidance by overlaying palpation zones on a scanned image of the patient's foot.

Our study compared the accuracy of locating the medial cuneiform bone using traditional methods versus our AR app. A paired-samples t-test (n=30) revealed a statistically significant improvement in accuracy when using the AR app (M = 4.55 cm, SD = 0.53) compared to traditional methods (M = 9.28 cm, SD = 3.24, p < 0.001). The mean improvement of 4.73 cm (95% CI: 3.52 to 5.94) underscores the potential of AR technology to enhance anatomical education and improve clinical skills.

The AR application integrates with a wearable device, such as the Head Mounted Tablet (HMT-1), enabling interactive learning experiences for medical students and residents5. This technology not only facilitates skill acquisition but also offers potential applications in remote patient care, such as training visiting nurses to triage homebound patients at risk of diabetic foot complications.

Our findings suggest that AR-assisted palpation training could significantly enhance the learning experience, potentially leading to improved diagnostic accuracy and procedural outcomes in clinical settings. This approach represents a promising advancement in medical education, bridging the gap between traditional training methods and the evolving landscape of healthcare technology.