ABSTRACT

The ageing population poses a significant burden on healthcare systems internationally. The substantial population disparity between older adults who require care and the younger population who must provide it places an overwhelming economic burden on long-term care facilities for the future, making it necessary to identify economical, at-home care alternatives. AR has proven to be a versatile and applicable technology in the medical field, as it has been utilized in dealing with illnesses such as phobias, muscular dystrophy, and cognitive impairments. However, its adoption for use in elderly care has been minimal due to the lack of progressive technologies that are user-friendly for older adults.

In contrast to the area of ageing, gross anatomy is an essential component of medical education for the general population. The methods used to teach this element have changed dramatically over the last few decades. Traditionally, gross anatomy has been taught through cadaver dissection and textbooks. However, the use of these resources has declined due to financial considerations, time constraints, and ethical issues. Together, these limitations and the expansion of medical imaging have led to the development of a variety of technological resources for medical education. In recent years, AR systems have emerged to the extent that they can not only address the limitations of traditional teaching methods but can also increase the rate at which people understand gross anatomy. This chapter presents a survey of existing AR solutions that aid the ageing population and contribute to enhancing medical education.