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Effects of a Virtual Reality-Based Dementia Educational Program on Healthcare Staff in Geriatric Dementia Wards: A
Jinyan Wu1, Ayumi Igarashi1,2, Manami Takaoka1,2
1Department of Gerontological Home Care and Long-Term Care Nursing, Division of Health Sciences & Nursing, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Background:
Multidisciplinary collaboration is essential to the provision of effective and comprehensive support in dementia care. In Japan, Wards for Elderly Patients with Dementia (WEDs) prioritize team-based care but face challenges due to insufficient staff training. This study developed a virtual reality-based training program to enhance attitudes toward dementia and promote multidisciplinary collaboration among WEDs staff and evaluated its overall effectiveness.
Methods:
We designed a multidisciplinary workplace program based on input from WEDs staff, incorporating short films, virtual reality experiences, discussions, mini-lectures, and a dilemma-based case discussion. Staff from six WEDs in a hospital specializing in dementia care participated in the program. Pre- and post-program questionnaires assessed the participants' attitudes and empathy toward people living with dementia and their awareness of multidisciplinary collaboration. Changes in person-centered care practices were evaluated using a 1-month follow-up survey.
Results:
A total of 27 employees (10 nurses, 13 rehabilitation staff, 1 trainee doctor, 1 radiology technician, 1 nursing assistant, and 1 system official) completed the program. The mean age was 34.4 (±10.9) years, with 17 being female. After the program, significant improvements were observed in the participants' attitude toward people living with dementia (pre- vs. post-evaluation: 43.4 vs. 45.1, respectively, p = 0.01), empathy (15.9 vs. 16.8, p = 0.01), and awareness of multidisciplinary collaboration (14.2 vs. 15.3, p = 0.005). Among the 14 participants who responded to the follow-up survey, no significant change was observed in person-centered care practices (28.1 vs. 28.4, p = 0.61).
Conclusions:
The virtual reality-based dementia educational program improved attitudes, empathy, and awareness of multidisciplinary collaboration among WEDs staff, suggesting its potential as an innovative educational tool. Future research using larger and more diverse samples is warranted to validate its broader applicability and long-term behavioral impact.
