not-yet-known not-yet-known not-yet-known unknown Augmented Reality in Outpatient Care: A Narrative Review

Introduction: Augmented Reality (AR) is increasingly utilized in healthcare, yet its role in outpatient care remains unclear. Patients frequently struggle with understanding medical information. AR could bridge this gap by offering immersive and interactive educational tools. This narrative review assesses AR’s current applications in outpatient settings, categorizes usage types, and highlights limitations and research directions. Methods: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for peer-reviewed articles published between January 2015 and February 2025. Studies using AR in outpatient settings were analyzed and grouped into five clinical categories. Results: Nineteen studies involving 987 participants met inclusion criteria. AR applications included patient education (n=3), cognitive and functional assessment (n=3), device interaction and remote monitoring (n=3), procedural guidance (n=5), and rehabilitation support (n=5). Most were pilot studies (n=6) with small sample sizes (median=28). AR consistently enhanced patient understanding, engagement, and procedural support. Limitations included bulky specialized hardware affecting comfort, reliability concerns, technical challenges, and platform inconsistencies. Conclusion: AR shows promise in outpatient care, particularly in education, assessment, device interaction, procedural guidance, and rehabilitation. Despite usability and clinical advantages, hardware complexity and technical reliability remain challenging. Future research should include large-scale RCTs and integration strategies.