Supporting patient understanding by making pathology tangible

Abstract Ayub et al. recently authored a fascinating Technical Note regarding the novel role of a 3D-printed pathology model, created from patient imaging, in the informed consent process. Published literature on the use of 3D printing (3DP) in surgery has largely concerned the role of physical models in supporting surgical training, planning operations, and customising implants, prostheses, and surgical devices. While visual aids such as clinical imaging, photography, videography, medical illustration, and surgeons’ drawings are known to be used to support patient understanding in surgical consultations; custom physical models a patient can interact with are a more novel use of 3DP technology for communicating clinical information. In this correspondence we discuss health literacy and the role of visual materials to support patient understanding and informed decisions about care.