Embracing 3D printing in emergency medicine training in Africa

Abstract

Africa's emergency medicine training faces challenges of limited resources, inadequate simulation tools, and few locally relevant training models. This article explores how three-dimensional (3D) printing can help address these gaps by enabling the creation of affordable, customizable models for procedural skills and simulation-based education. We discuss the context of emergency medicine training in Africa, where limited access to high-fidelity manikins and other teaching aids hampers skills acquisition. The model printing format may be of limited applicability in the context of dynamic simulations, where the model is required to interact and perform a function, versus static simulation, with the emphasis on identification and directed procedures. We highlight illustrative use cases, including a 3D-printed airway management manikin and a basic suturing practice pad, to demonstrate the technology’s potential for hands-on learning. Key benefits of integrating 3D printing into training programs are examined, such as improved access to simulation, better local adaptability, and increased opportunity for producing affordable task trainers that are suited for hands-on emergency procedures. We also acknowledge challenges, from startup costs and infrastructure needs to the learning curve of 3D printers and suggest practical steps for implementation. This commentary encourages educators and institutions in Africa to explore 3D printing for education, and we envision it becoming integral to emergency medicine training across the continent; fostering skill development, self-sufficiency, and ultimately improving patient care.