Research Progress of 3D Printing Combined with Virtual Reality Technology in Medical Education Practice: A Bibliometric Analysis Based on Web of Science

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to systematically review the current research status, hotspots, and emerging trends of the application of 3D Printing (3DP) and Virtual Reality (VR) technology in the field of medical education, providing a reference for the future development of this field. Methods: Using the Web of Science Core Collection database as the data source, relevant literature was retrieved, and bibliometric software such as CiteSpace was used to conduct a visual analysis of annual publication volume, countries/regions, research institutions, authors, and keywords. Results: 1) Research in this field began in 1991, entered a period of rapid growth starting in 2018, and peaked in 2024, showing strong development momentum. 2) The United States, China, Germany, and the United Kingdom are the core forces in this research field, with close international cooperation. 3) Major research institutions include world-leading universities such as Imperial College London and Harvard University; institutional collaboration shows clear clustering characteristics, and the landscape of influence shows dynamic evolution. 4) Research hotspots focus on anatomy and surgical applications, and delve into core technical challenges such as model accuracy, registration, and simulation of mechanical properties. 5) The current research frontier is highly focused on the deepening of clinical applications, such as development based on mixed reality platforms (HoloLens), applications in fields like cancer radiotherapy, and the evaluation of clinical outcomes. Conclusion: 3D printing and virtual reality technologies have become deeply integrated into medical education, and research has progressed from conceptual demonstration to addressing the technical bottlenecks of clinical-level precision. In the future, research in this field will focus more on application implementation on specific hardware platforms, integration with high-risk clinical workflows, and validation of final treatment outcomes.