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Is Perception Reality? Using Person-in-Context Simulation to Promote Empathic Understanding of Dementia Among Nurse
Candace C Harrington1, Janice A Neil, Sonya R Hardin
1About the Authors Candace C. Harrington, PhD, DNP, APRN, AGPCNP-BC, CNE, CDP, is assistant professor, University of Louisville School of Nursing, Louisville, Kentucky. Janice A. Neil, PhD, RN, CNE, is associate professor, East Carolina University College of Nursing, Greenville, North Carolina. Sonya R. Hardin, PhD, MBA, MHA, APRN, CCRN, NP-C, FAAN, is professor and dean, University of Louisville School of Nursing. Donna W. Roberson, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, is associate professor, East Carolina University College of Nursing. This project was supported in part by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under Grant Number U1QHP28722 and Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program for a total award of $2,543,874.00 and 0 percent financed with nongovernmental sources. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS, or the US Government. For more information, contact Dr. Harrington at candace.harrington@louisville.edu.
Abstract:
This one-group nonexperimental pretest/posttest repeated-measures design plus interpretative phenomenological analysis explored nurse practitioner students' perceptions of dementia using virtual simulation. Perceptions of dementia and its associated challenges differed after the simulation. A critical theme that emerged was "developing empathic understanding"; the two subthemes were "mirroring dementia behaviors" and "provoking emotions." Virtual dementia simulation is an inexpensive, low-fidelity strategy to challenge assumptions and preconceived belief systems about dementia. Person-in-context experiential learning is valuable in nurse practitioner education for facilitating empathic understanding. Further research is needed to explore the correlation between empathic understanding and altruistic helping behaviors in professional practice.
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