The Role of Educational Interactive Virtual Simulation App in Aesthetic Medicine and Cosmetic Dermatology Preclinical Skills.

BACKGROUND: The rapid progress in the field of aesthetic medicine and cosmetic dermatology drives the demand for skilled healthcare practitioners able to provide safe, complex treatments accurately and confidently. Traditional training approaches, which emphasize didactic teaching and little hands-on experience, typically fail to prepare postgraduate students for these challenges. We hypothesized that interactive visual simulation may improve preclinical competency in aesthetic medicine and cosmetic dermatology. AIMS: The aim of this study is to explore the impact of interactive visual simulations 3D app on the development of preclinical skills in aesthetic medicine and cosmetic dermatology. METHODS: The study was designed as a mixed-methods approach, which combined quantitative analysis of simulation performance data with quantitative feedback from participants. The study is based on a purposive sample of 25 healthcare professionals enrolled in aesthetic medicine postgraduate training programs at the Queen Mary University of London (QMUL). Data were collected through post-training assessment questionnaires and performance metrics during simulations. RESULTS: The findings clearly emphasized an improvement in the proficiency and confidence of participants who trained using interactive visual simulations. Trainees reported a greater sense of realism and immersion in their training, which helped them better understand the spatial relationships and anatomical structures involved in aesthetic procedures. Additionally, participants expressed increased confidence in their ability to perform these procedures on real patients. CONCLUSION: The study found that interactive visual simulation may help to improve aesthetic medicine and cosmetic dermatology preclinical competency. This technology has the potential to offer a better training experience than traditional approaches, resulting in more confident and skilled healthcare practitioners who can conduct difficult and safe aesthetic interventions.