Communicating with the Patient: The Role of 3D Models in Informed Consent

The communication gap

Imagine you are a patient. The surgeon explains that you have a renal mass in the lower pole, partially exophytic, close to a segmental branch of the renal artery. They say they will proceed with partial nephrectomy, involving temporary arterial clamping.

How much of this information do you actually understand?

The communication gap between doctor and patient is one of the most underestimated issues in surgical practice. Not because surgeons lack willingness, but because of the intrinsic complexity of anatomical language and surgical procedures.

Informed consent: beyond a signature

Informed consent is not a form to sign. It is a process through which the patient understands:

• Their clinical condition
• Available treatment options
• Risks and benefits of the proposed intervention
• Alternatives, including non-intervention

For this process to be real rather than formal, the patient must understand. And to understand, they must see.

What if every surgeon could see through a radiologist's eyes?

This question, which guides JST 3D's mission, also works in reverse: what if every patient could see through the surgeon's eyes?

An interactive 3D model turns an abstract explanation into a concrete visual experience:

• "You have a mass in the lower kidney pole" -> the patient sees the mass, its position, and its size
• "The mass is close to an artery" -> the patient sees the spatial relationship between tumor and vessel
• "We will remove the mass while preserving the kidney" -> the patient understands what will be removed and what will remain

Reducing preoperative anxiety

Patient anxiety before surgery is often linked to uncertainty - not knowing what will happen, not understanding their anatomy, not being able to imagine the intervention.

Showing a 3D model of their kidney, with the tumor clearly identified and surrounding structures visible, has a concrete effect:

• The patient feels involved in the decision-making process
• Understanding reduces the perception of unknown risk
• Transparency increases trust in the surgical team

A shared language

3D models create common ground for communication. The surgeon does not need to oversimplify to the point of losing precision. The patient does not need to blindly trust information they do not understand. Both look at the same model, and the dialogue becomes natural.

This also applies to communication between professionals:

• Between surgeon and radiologist during preoperative discussion
• Between resident and supervisor in surgical training
• Among colleagues presenting complex clinical cases

From technology to relationship

When well designed, technology does not replace the doctor-patient relationship: it strengthens it. A 3D model is not an end - it is a tool that helps surgeons explain better, patients understand more, and both approach surgery with greater confidence and awareness.