3-D Printing and Medical Education
Date Published March 16, 2026
Advancing research on 3D-printed models linking spatial intelligence and palpatory skills development.
Ian Schultheiss; Natalie Freeman
| This research project at Lincoln Memorial University–DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM) explores the intersection of visual spatial intelligence and palpatory ability using advanced 3D printing technology, led by student doctor Ian Schultheiss with faculty collaborators. The study team consists of primary investigator Natalie Freeman, associate professor of biochemistry and assistant dean of research; co-investigator Anne Marie Zeller, associate professor of family medicine and osteopathic manipulative medicine; and student doctor Ian Schultheiss, whose innovative idea catalyzed the project. The group received a grant of up to $5,000 from the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) as part of AACOM’s 2024 Research Grant Program, a competitive initiative that supports projects addressing critical areas in osteopathic medical education. The research aims to determine how visual spatial intelligence correlates with palpatory skills, employing cutting-edge 3D printing to create models or tools that can be used in instruction and assessment. By combining Schultheiss’s concept with Zeller’s expertise in Osteopathic Principles and Practice (OPP) research and Freeman’s leadership in research administration and biochemistry, the project is positioned to probe both educational theory and practical application. The investigators intend for the findings to inform teaching methodologies that enhance student learning, clinical preparedness, and the translation of palpatory training into competent patient care. The project’s emphasis on innovative pedagogical approaches reflects LMU-DCOM’s dedication to advancing osteopathic medical education and underscores the value of student–faculty collaboration in generating research that addresses real instructional needs. Designated as one of three grant recipients in AACOM’s program for 2024, the LMU-DCOM team will conduct the study over an 18-month period. During this time, the researchers will develop and utilize 3D-printed resources, collect and analyze data on visual spatial abilities and palpatory performance, and evaluate implications for curriculum design and assessment strategies. Upon completion, the team plans to share their findings with the broader osteopathic medical education (OME) community, contributing evidence that could guide future curricular innovations and support the dissemination of effective training tools. The project’s expected outcomes include improved understanding of how spatial cognition relates to manual diagnostic skills and potentially new or refined educational practices that prepare students for clinical responsibilities. |
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COM Affiliation
Funding Amount
$5,000
Funding Type
Foundation/Non-profit, Institutional Grant (internal and external)
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