Examining the Impact of a Virtual Dementia Simulation on Occupational Therapy Students: A Mixed Methods Study of Empathy Cultivation

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a virtual dementia simulation on occupational therapy (OT) students' empathy levels and propose practical rationales for optimizing future dementia care. A within-subjects pre-post design was used to collect quantitative data. Qualitative data was collected through focus groups to provide contextual depth and insight into the quantitative data. Students (N = 39) participated in a one-time virtual dementia simulation and a one-hour focus group debriefing session. The Kiersma-Chen Empathy Revised Scale (KCES-R) was administered pre-survey and post-survey. Quantitative data revealed a significant difference in level of empathy pre- and immediate post-survey. Qualitative findings revealed four distinct themes: (1) Walk a Mile: Discovering Empathy, which explored personal empathy development; (2) System Overload, reflecting the complexity and intensity of the simulation; (3) Reflective Practitioner, highlighting the importance of self-reflection in professional growth; and (4) Context Matters, emphasizing the significance of understanding individual and systemic contexts in healthcare delivery. The themes collectively captured the transformative nature of the simulation experience and its potential to reshape students' professional perspectives and empathetic approaches to patient care. These findings support using virtual simulation in educational practice for healthcare students to increase empathy toward individuals with dementia.