Journal article
The impact of an aging simulation program for dental students in two community dental clinics
Journal of dental education, v 88(11), pp 1520-1529
01 Nov 2024
PMID: 38982563
Abstract
PurposeClinicians who have not experienced the difficulties that come with aging or disability may be unable to relate to the limitations and experiences of afflicted patients, which is necessary to improve patient-provider connection and treatment outcomes. The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of an aging-simulation experience on improving dental students' awareness of aging-related limitations, examine the students' perceptions, and assess planned patient-care modifications based on the aging-simulation experience.MethodsA total of 78 dental students who rotated through two extramural clinic sites from August 2021 through October 2022 completed pre-simulation surveys, donned aging simulators in the dental operatory, initiated pre-defined tasks and their corresponding modifications, completed a post-simulation survey, and completed a reflection questionnaire containing structured and open-ended questions. Quantitative responses were analyzed using descriptive frequencies and paired sample t-tests, whereas thematic analyses were used to interpret free-text portion of the reflection questionnaire.ResultsStudent awareness of the impact of the four aging-related disabilities improved after the experience. Visual impairment was identified as the most difficult symptom to experience during simulation. Students reported increased feelings of empathy and acknowledged the effectiveness of clinical practice modifications to accommodate elderly patients with limitations. Students also expressed intentions to make similar modifications in their future clinical practice and the need for exposure to longer periods of simulated experiences to further clinical practice modifications for elderly patients.ConclusionThe aging-simulation experience is an effective tool for raising dental students' awareness of aging-related difficulties, the need for clinical practice modifications, and increasing empathy.
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Details
- Title
- The impact of an aging simulation program for dental students in two community dental clinics
- Creators
- Simmi Patel - Texas A&M Univ, Dept Publ Hlth Sci, Sch Dent, 3302 Gaston Ave, Dallas, TX 75246 USAMarvellous A. Akinlotan - Texas A&M Univ, Dept Pediat Dent, Sch Dent, Dallas, TX USAKaty Nimmons - Texas A&M Univ, Dept Pediat Dent, Sch Dent, Dallas, TX USADan Burch - Texas A&M Univ, Dept Pediat Dent, Sch Dent, Dallas, TX USA
- Publication Details
- Journal of dental education, v 88(11), pp 1520-1529
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Number of pages
- 10
- Grant note
- Health Resources and Services Administration; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; United States Department of Health & Human Services; United States Health Resources & Service Administration (HRSA) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Pediatrics
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001268076600001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85197746655
- Other Identifier
- 991022193968904721