Abstract:

Research has shown that greater empathy by healthcare providers (HCPs) and informal caregivers leads to better care and improved patient care outcomes for persons living with dementia (PLWD). To support this need we developed an augmented reality (AR) education experience (AREduX). AREduX is an augmented reality prototype developed to support HCPs to understand empathy and as a training approach for informal caregivers. Using the latest AR and game development technology, we developed a proof of concept prototype that employs augmented reality to simulate the physical and cognitive symptoms that Persons Living With Dementia experience. This unique experience allows HCPs and caregivers to experience the simulating effects of dementia for training purposes with the goal of making HCPs and informal caregivers more empathetic to PLWD.

Keywords:

Augmented Reality, Experiential Education, Teaching, Empathy.