2025 Scholars' Research Symposium Abstract: 3D Printing in Medicine: An Educational Seminar.

Introduction: Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a transformative technology with significant implications for the future of medicine, enabling innovations in patient-specific treatments (i.e. anatomic models and patient education), surgical planning (i.e. preoperative visualization), and medical education (i.e. 3D anatomic structures). Despite its growing impact, 3D printing remains an underexplored topic in traditional medical education, leaving many medical students and physicians unfamiliar with its potential applications. The purpose of this 30-minute seminar was to introduce the fundamentals of 3D printing, emphasize its relevance to modern medicine and provide a foundation for understanding its diverse applications in clinical practice and research. By bridging this knowledge gap, the session aimed to inspire future healthcare professionals to integrate 3D printing into their practice.

Methods: A 30-minute, virtual seminar was offered to medical students at the Sanford School of Medicine, Engineering students and Physicians. Participants were asked to view a You-Tube video prepared by the author and complete a pre- and post-session survey, consisting of six multiple-choice questions designed to assess knowledge of, and interest in 3D printing and its applications in medicine. Additional survey questions captured demographic information, including the participant's profession and prior experience with 3D printing. Pre- and post-survey responses were analyzed using paired Student's t-tests to evaluate the impact of the session on participants' understanding and interest. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant, indicating meaningful improvements in knowledge or interest after the session.

Results: 20 participants completed both the pre- and post-surveys. Participants included medical students, engineering students, and other (Physician, HR, undergraduate student, and business manager). Of these, only 30% had prior experience with 3D printing. Analysis of the survey responses demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in participants' knowledge and understanding of 3D printing applications in medicine, with average scores increasing in 5 out of 6 questions (p less than 0.05). Additionally, participants reported increased interest in integrating 3D printing into their clinical research or education.

Conclusion: This 30-minute, virtual You-Tube educational seminar effectively introduced participants to the fundamentals of 3D printing and its applications in medicine, addressing a significant knowledge gap among medical students and physicians. The statistically significant improvement in survey scores demonstrates the session's success in enhancing understanding and generating interest in this transformative technology. By equipping future healthcare professionals with foundational knowledge of 3D printing, such sessions can foster innovation and integration of this technology into clinical practice and medical education.