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Molex 2022 25 Figure 2: Immersive medical technology will allow medical and nursing students to practice through surgery simulations, where the assistance to another medical professional in the medical context feels close to what it would be in physical reality. Her medical education is a top priority so she can get prepared to earn these credentials. She attends college classes during the week, both in-person and online. Medical training systems continue to evolve as more and more things shift towards being online. But does online offer all the contextual support of in-person learning? As of today, probably not. However, the healthcare sector is actively searching for prompt solutions to help increase efficiency and optimize the overall system. Medical education may close any potential gaps by technological advances coming along due to artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), virtual reality (VR), and extended reality (XR). The future of medical training will be supported by immersive learning (Figure 2). Training with immersive technology provides several key benefits. One way these technologies can reshape and enhance medical education is by moving knowledge acquisition beyond other, more static, presentations. Let's look at what may drive this adoption. Safe Environment The first benefit of medical training using immersive technology is that it provides a safe environment to learn. Across the world, people have been pushed out of the office and the classroom and into their own homes in the name of safety, a duty of responsible behavior toward others, and containment. Interactive methods such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams have exploded and are used by almost everyone. But how can one train to be a doctor or a nurse just by interacting over video? Immersive technology allows students to practice utilizing simulations on a host of healthcare issues with different people and teams. Medical simulations allow this practice to happen from a distance. It is no longer necessary to be in a hospital, an operating room, or a classroom. Immersive technology allows the requisite variety of skills to be brought to bear in a digital domain. Since practice through simulations may be easily set up and adjusted, it offers a risk-free environment to apply learned theory, making it a safe environment to enhance skills through repeated practice. Accessible Technology Medical equipment is costly and sensitive. What if medical equipment and the corresponding techniques to employ it could be done on computers and digital devices specially equipped for the required tasks? Headsets with accompanying tactile controls have been commonplace for gaming. Similarly, they are moving into the medical field and education. The costs for this type of equipment are usually less expensive than the actual physical medical equipment itself. By learning and practicing in the digital realm, more people can access and train in the procedures and processes required. Just as flight simulators help aircraft pilots train, the medical instructor may perform a multitude of scenarios conveniently and cost-effectively in the immersive space. Augmented reality, for example, is accessible on mobile devices. It enables users to 'see' more by offering three- dimensional (3D) or 360° views. This allows individuals to gain new perspectives and insights. Mixed reality (MR) enables medical training students to interact with their colleagues and see the same relevant data and information as if they were in the room itself.