{"id":102,"date":"2026-03-18T19:26:04","date_gmt":"2026-03-18T19:26:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medlearn.imperial.ac.uk\/innovation\/?page_id=102"},"modified":"2026-04-09T13:55:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T13:55:54","slug":"research-publications","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/medlearn.imperial.ac.uk\/innovation\/research-publications\/","title":{"rendered":"Research & Publications"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
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Imperial London  ·  Digital Education Office<\/p>\n

Research & Publications<\/h1>\n

Peer-reviewed research in XR, simulation, and AI-driven medical education. Published work focuses on the design, delivery, and evaluation of immersive technologies for clinical training at Imperial School of Medicine.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Adrian Cowell — Google Scholar<\/p>\n

Full citation list, h-index, and citation metrics<\/p>\n <\/div>\n View on Google Scholar →<\/a>\n <\/div>\n\n \n

Published Papers<\/h2>\n

Peer-reviewed publications. Adrian Cowell is a co-author on all papers listed.<\/p>\n\n \n

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BMC Medicine  ·  2024  ·  Vol. 22(1), p.222<\/p>\n

Virtual reality as an engaging and enjoyable method for delivering emergency clinical simulation training: a prospective, interventional study of medical undergraduates<\/h3>\n

Walls R, Nageswaran P, Cowell A<\/strong>, Sehgal T, White T, McVeigh J, Staykov S, Basett P, Mitelpunkt D, Sam AH<\/p>\n

A prospective interventional study comparing objective and subjective engagement and enjoyment of VR simulation versus desktop computer-based simulation among final year medical students at Imperial School of Medicine (n=116). Establishes VR as a scalable, workforce-efficient alternative to traditional in-person clinical simulation.<\/p>\n View paper →<\/a>\n <\/div>\n

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29<\/p>\n

citations<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n

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Future Healthcare Journal  ·  2021  ·  Vol. 8(3), e714–e716<\/p>\n

A new reality: bedside geriatric teaching in an age of remote learning<\/h3>\n

Rafi D, Stackhouse AA, Walls R, Dani M, Cowell A<\/strong>, Hughes E, Sam AH<\/p>\n

Describes the use of the Microsoft HoloLens 2 to deliver remote bedside geriatric teaching, including bi-directional communication, physical sign exposure, and holographic teaching aids. Explores the potential of augmented reality to address growing demand for geriatric education throughout medical training.<\/p>\n View paper →<\/a>\n <\/div>\n

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8<\/p>\n

citations<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n

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JVS–Vascular Insights  ·  2024  ·  Vol. 2, p.100032<\/p>\n

A comparison between augmented reality and traditional in-person teaching for vascular anastomotic surgical skills training<\/h3>\n

Stoner R, Ahmad M, Patel SB, Cowell A<\/strong>, Hurkxkens T, Bastrot L, Caradu C, Amiras D, Shalhoub J<\/p>\n

Randomised comparison of HoloLens 2 AR remote teaching versus traditional in-person instruction for vascular anastomosis skills (n=28). A remote trainer superimposed video, gestures, and images over participants' field of vision via AR headset. Assesses feasibility and effectiveness of AR in a surgical skills training context.<\/p>\n View paper →<\/a>\n <\/div>\n

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5<\/p>\n

citations<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n

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Advances in Medical Education and Practice  ·  2023  ·  pp.373–380<\/p>\n

Knowledge attainment and engagement among medical students: a comparison of three forms of online learning<\/h3>\n

Stackhouse AA, Rafi D, Walls R, Dodd RV, Badger K, Davies DJ, Brown CA, Cowell A<\/strong>, Meeran K, Halse O, Kinross J, Lupton M, Hughes EA, Sam AH<\/p>\n

Compares knowledge attainment and student engagement across clinical case vignette, patient-testimony video, and mixed reality (HoloLens 2) teaching for Year 3 medical students at Imperial. Assesses the feasibility of large-scale MR delivery and uses formative assessment as the primary outcome measure.<\/p>\n View paper →<\/a>\n <\/div>\n

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5<\/p>\n

citations<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n

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Endocrine Abstracts  ·  2023  ·  Vol. 94<\/p>\n

Fixing black holes in traditional clinical training: 360° virtual reality emergency simulations<\/h3>\n

Walls R, McVeigh J, Wang A, Cowell A<\/strong>, Shawcroft T, White T, Ganea C, Trojani G, Miller K, Davis P, Mitelpunkt D, Sam AH<\/p>\n

Addresses the gap in ward-based clinical training for managing emergencies such as DKA, where first-hand exposure is inconsistent and expensive to replicate at scale. Presents 360° VR combined with immersive simulation as a scalable, realistic, and cost-effective alternative to traditional simulation suites, with reduced reliance on facilitators and actors.<\/p>\n View abstract →<\/a>\n <\/div>\n

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conf.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Related Research in the Field<\/h2>\n

Key papers from the wider XR, simulation, and AI-driven medical education literature.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

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FUTURE HEALTHCARE JOURNAL · 2019 · VOL. 6(3)<\/p>\n

Virtual reality and the transformation of medical education<\/p>\n

Pottle J<\/p>\n

A foundational review exploring how VR delivers cost-effective, repeatable, standardised clinical training on demand. Argues that growing pressure on clinical placement capacity makes VR an increasingly relevant tool for modern medical education.<\/p>\n View paper →<\/a>\n <\/div>\n

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600+<\/p>\n

citations<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

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JMIR SERIOUS GAMES · 2021 · VOL. 9(3)<\/p>\n

Augmented, Mixed, and Virtual Reality-Based Head-Mounted Devices for Medical Education: Systematic Review<\/p>\n

Barteit S, Lanfermann L, Bärnighäuser T, Neuhann F, Beiersmann C<\/p>\n

Systematic review of XR head-mounted device use in medical education. The majority of studies showed beneficial effects on learning outcomes, with users reporting greater enthusiasm and engagement \u2014 supporting the case for immersive XR-based clinical training.<\/p>\n View paper →<\/a>\n <\/div>\n

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syst.<\/p>\n

review<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MEDICAL EDUCATION · 2020 · VOL. 11<\/p>\n

Augmented reality and mixed reality for healthcare education beyond surgery: an integrative review<\/p>\n

Gerup J, Soerensen CB, Dieckmann P<\/p>\n

Integrative review of AR and MR across healthcare education beyond surgery. Twenty-six studies assessed outcomes in knowledge acquisition, skill training, and patient care metrics. Demonstrates meaningful impact across multiple clinical domains.<\/p>\n View paper →<\/a>\n <\/div>\n

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integ.<\/p>\n

review<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

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NATURE MEDICINE · 2019 · VOL. 25<\/p>\n

High-performance medicine: the convergence of human and artificial intelligence<\/p>\n

Topol EJ<\/p>\n

Foundational review of AI in medicine. Explores AI impact at the level of clinicians (rapid image interpretation), health systems (workflow and error reduction), and patients (personal health data). Essential context for understanding AI-driven medical education and decision support.<\/p>\n View paper →<\/a>\n <\/div>\n

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10k+<\/p>\n

citations<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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