Original Research
Usability of an augmented reality tele-mentoring system for medical specialists and junior doctors operating in rural and regional healthcare settings in Vietnam
AUTHORS
Trung Dung Bui1,2,3 PhD, Research Fellow 
Tony Barnett2,4 PhD, Research and Training Consultant
Viet Anh Hoang3 PhD, Medical Specialist
Winyu Chinthammit5 PhD, Research Lead, Senior Lecturer
Van Nhan Vu3 Vice Director
Son N. Tran5,6 PhD, Senior Lecturer
Ha Hoang Postdoctoral Fellow in Oral Health Care
Van Anh Do3 IT Lead
Nga Tran2 PhD, Research Fellow
Van Giap Vu3 PhD, Vice Director *
AFFILIATIONS
1 School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
2 Centre for Rural Health, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tas., Australia
3 Bach Mai Institute for Training and Research in Medical and Pharmacy, Bach Mai Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam
4 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
5 School of Information and Communications Technology, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tas., Australia
6 School of Information Technology, Deakin University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
ACCEPTED: 30 March 2026
Early Abstract:
Introduction: A collaborative research project between an Australian university and a Vietnamese central hospital, funded by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Australia, evaluated the usability of augmented reality (AR) technology for tele-mentorship between central medical specialists and rural junior doctors in Vietnam. Mentorship effectiveness and patient acceptability during consultations were explored.
Methods: The AR system included a mentor station at a central hospital and eight mentee stations in rural and regional areas in Vietnam. Medical specialists and rural junior doctors formed mentor-mentee pairs to conduct consultations with patients recruited from local health facilities. Participants underwent seven training sessions to gain hands-on experience with HoloLens devices and the Remote Assist app. Mentees used HoloLens in patient rooms to connect with mentors via the Remote Assist app and Microsoft Teams for real-time discussions and remote assistance tailored to patient examinations and treatments.
Results: Four mentors, eighteen mentees, and four technical staff participated in 41 consultations involving 94 patients. Usability scores were positive across all groups (mentees: 3.8±0.6; mentors: 3.1±0.2; technical staff: 4.1±0.2). Mentorship effectiveness was rated highly by mentors (3.8±0.3) and mentees (4.2±1.1). Most patients (66.3%) were satisfied, and 75% were willing to be consulted again using AR technology.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates the potential of AR technology to support junior doctors in patient care in rural clinical settings.
Keywords: augmented reality, junior doctors, remote consultation, rural health, situational tele-mentorship, telemedicine, usability.