Enhancing NP Residents’ Empathy for People Living with ADRD through Virtual Reality Simulation

Abstract

PURPOSE: This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Virtual Reality (VR) simulation in enhancing empathy and clinical competencies among post-graduate nurse practitioner (NP) residents, focusing on individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD). The project assessed changes in empathy, communication, and person-centered care competencies after a 60-minute VR training session. METHODS: Fifteen NP residents participated in a pre-and post-test study. Before the intervention, participants completed a survey assessing their baseline experience with ADRD, confidence in empathizing with individuals with dementia, and familiarity with VR technology. After the 60-minute VR session, designed to simulate the lived experience of individuals with ADRD, participants completed a post-training survey to measure changes in empathy, communication, and person-centered care competencies. RESULTS: Data analysis revealed improvements in participants' ability to empathize with individuals with ADRD. Empathy scores increased from a pre-training mean of 2.65 to 4.15. Similar improvements were observed in communication skills and understanding of dementia's emotional challenges. Participants reported greater confidence in managing behavioral and psychological symptoms of ADRD and felt more prepared to communicate effectively with patients. Many found the VR experience engaging and educational, providing valuable insights into the lived experience of individuals with ADRD. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: These findings underscore the practical benefits of VR in healthcare training, particularly in deepening empathy and improving clinical competencies. The results suggest VR is a powerful tool for ADRD care training. This study advocates for the integration of immersive technologies into healthcare education, offering a valuable approach to dementia care that could extend to other healthcare professionals and caregivers. Further research is needed to assess the long-term impact and broader applicability of VR training in diverse healthcare settings.