VIRTUAL REALITY LABS: ADVANCING EMPATHY WITHIN HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND MEDICAL EDUCATION

Abstract

each project phase. The developed model of care is based on risk stratification of the older population and supply of health and social services according to the individual's needs. The 3-year INSPIRE project consists of 6 work packages: 1) Cantonal and local stakeholder involvement, 2) literature review to identify core components of evaluated community care models, 3) contextual analysis of Canton Baselland, 4) development of intervention and implementation protocols including a training package for advanced practice nurses in geriatrics, 5) development of a monitoring system based on clinical, insurance and population-cohort data, and 6) process and outcome evaluation in a pilot-region. INSPIRE will enable the implementation of a new care model by involving stakeholders in co-creating a care concept that is based on scientific evidence, is feasible and acceptable, and fits the local context. a medical student's ability to both empathize with and understand older adults living in nursing homes is limited without first-hand experience. This case study research project required to answer the question: "What is it like for me to live the life of an older resident?" This article presents one student doctor's experiences. Methods: Ethnographic/auto-biographic research designs were applied. A 23-year-old male osteopathic medical student was admitted into a nursing home for 10 days with a diagnosis. He was wheelchair reliant, bathed, toileted, fed pureed foods, and cared for by staff as a resident. Data were in journal format for pre-fieldwork, fieldwork, and post-fieldwork including subjective and objective reporting of observations, experiences, and resident encounters. Analyses included journal review and thematic categorization and coding through content analysis. Results: Three significant themes were identified: (1) Adaptation; (2) Communication; and (3) Loss. Being immersed in a nursing home, the student experienced the losses and challenges faced by older nursing home residents and gained perspective on creating community. This process provided the student with meaningful skills and empathy to engage with older adults with functional limitations. The data were integrated into the larger study. Conclusion: This experience imparted knowledge and challenged the student doctor's attitudes about aging, loss, and the critical role of making meaningful connections in order to adapt to challenging circumstances. These insights provided an understanding of osteopathic care gained through immersion learning that is person-centered, comprehensive, and empathic.