Dementia Simulation Impact on Empathy of Nursing and Physical Therapy Students: A Quantitative Study

Background As the population ages, the incidence of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) increases. Health care students participated in a simulated dementia experience to increase their understanding of the lived reality of people diagnosed with ADRD. A foundation for therapeutic relationships is understanding which incorporates empathy. Health care professionals possessing empathy have demonstrated improved patient satisfaction. Methods This quantitative study used Kolb's experiential learning theory as a foundation for assessing empathy of health care students using a pre- postsurvey design. Health care students included 248 baccalaureate nursing students and doctor of physical therapy students. Empathy was measured by the Interpersonal Reactivity Index, perspective taking (PT), and empathic concerns (EC) subscales. Results This study found a statistically significant increase in overall empathy postsimulation measured by the combined PT and EC subscales. The PT subscale also had a statistically significant increase indicating that students increased in the cognitive dimension of empathy post simulated dementia experience. There was no statistically significant change in the EC subscale or affective dimension of empathy post experience. Conclusions The immersive simulation experience increased the cognitive dimension of empathy in nursing and physical therapy students.