Enhancing Empathy: A Mixed Methods Exploration of Dementia Simulation in Occupational Therapy and Nursing Education

The Purpose

Dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, poses complex challenges requiring health care providers to respond with empathy and skill. The current study examined whether a simulation-based dementia education intervention could enhance empathy in health care students.

The Methods

Using embedded mixed methods, one-group quasi-experimental design, empathy levels in 125 pre-licensure nursing and graduate occupational therapy students were measured via the Kiersma-Chen Empathy Scale-Revised (KCES-R) before, immediately after, and 6 weeks post-simulation. In addition, 36 post-debriefing focus groups explored student experiences qualitatively.

"The current study showed increased cognitive and affective empathy post- simulation, and five qualitative themes were identified, corroborating and connecting the quantitative and qual- itative data."

Journal of Gerontological Nursing, Enhancing Empathy: A Mixed Methods Exploration of Dementia Simulation in Occupational Therapy and Nursing Education

The Results

Findings showed significant empathy score increases across all time points (F[2,124] = 17.02, p < 0.001). Thematic analysis revealed five themes: The Illusion of Empathy, Developing Empathetic Skills, Confronting Uncomfortable Truths, The Eureka Moment: Transformative Realizations, and Empathy and Power Dynamics.

The Conclusion

Findings suggest that simulation-based dementia experience improves empathy and motivates students to provide better care. Experiential learning is critical to preparing future health care professionals to meet the growing demands of dementia care.

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