Creating Patient Context: Empathy and Attitudes Toward Diabetes Following Virtual Immersion.

Authors

Jana L. Wardian PhD, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow
Tessa Wells, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow
Teresa Cochran, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow

Document Type

Article

Journal Title

Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology

Publication Date

2023

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Pandemic circumstances created challenges for doctor of physical therapy (DPT) students to understand social determinants of health (SDH) in clinical rotations. Instead of canceling clinical rotations, a virtual reality cinema (cine-VR) education series was implemented. The purpose of this project is to describe the effect of this simulated immersion on student empathy and attitudes toward diabetes.

METHOD: The DPT students (n=59) participated in 12 cine-VR education modules, completing surveys at three time points as part of coursework. The students completed baseline measures of the Diabetes Attitude Scale-Version 3 (DAS-3) and Jefferson Empathy Scale (JES), and then were immersed in 12 cine-VR modules. One week after module completion, students participated in a class discussion about the modules. The students repeated the JES and DAS-3 scales at postclass and six weeks later. Three subscales from the Presence Questionnaire (PQ) were used to measure the virtual experience.

RESULTS: Student scores on three DAS-3 subscales significantly improved on posttest: Attitude toward patient autonomy, Mean: 0.75, SD: 0.45;

DISCUSSION: These modules can allow for a shared student experience that improves diabetes attitudes, increases empathy, and fosters meaningful classroom discussion. The cine-VR experience is flexible, and modules allow students to engage in aspects of a patient's life that were not available otherwise.

DOI Link

10.1177/19322968231174441

ISSN

1932-2968

Rights

This accepted manuscript is protected by copyright and reuse is restricted to non-commercial and no derivative uses.

Recommended Citation

Wardian JL, Wells TM, Cochran TM. Creating Patient Context: Empathy and Attitudes Toward Diabetes Following Virtual Immersion. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology. 2023; doi:10.1177/19322968231174441