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. Using embedded mixed methods, one-group quasi-experimental design, empathy levels in 125 prelicensure 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. Findings showed significant empathy score increases across all time points (F2,124 = 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. 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.
Parkman et al. (Mon,) studied this question.