Using a Health Equity Simulation as a Teaching Tool in Social Work and Public Health Courses

The healthcare system has long sought to achieve equity for all in healthcare delivery. The question remains: Where do we start to achieve equitable care? Social Work and Public Health students who are entering healthcare professions play a critical role in addressing these disparities. Simulation-based learning offers numerous opportunities to apply practical concepts and complex skills, providing a foundation to facilitate effective learning. In this study, sixty-six Social Work and Public Health students participated in a computer-based Health Equity Simulation, where 36 students were included in the analysis. Empathy toward people of different racial and ethnic backgrounds was assessed using the Scale of Ethnocultural Empathy. Although this study found no statistically significant difference in the overall ethnocultural empathy scores before and after the simulation, there was a significant difference in the mean scores of the Empathic Feeling and Expression subscale. Providing students with a simulated learning experience is an effective teaching tool to enhance their ability to recognize and address health inequities in healthcare, with the ultimate goal of promoting optimal care for all.