Insight Dementia

Insight Dementia: going into hospital

With over 55 million people living with dementia worldwide, estimated to rise to 139 million by 2050 (WHO, 2022), there remain worldwide concerns around awareness of how to care for those with dementia and their symptoms.

Considerable efforts have gone into developing virtual reality for use in healthcare education. New technologies, including virtual reality (VR), are being increasingly used in training healthcare professionals. However, few studies have developed and evaluated simulations within clinical settings. Research conducted with healthcare students indicated that this could be a valuable educational tool to help relate to their practice (Hicks et al., 2023).

Building on previous research evaluating virtual reality films in community settings, this project has developed a 360-degree VR simulation of a hospital setting. The video portrays what it might feel like to be in an unfamiliar hospital environment using scripted monologue and a first-person viewpoint of a male living with dementia arriving at an emergency department to be assessed.

The script was informed by conversations with people living with dementia and carers, developed around their reported lived experience of being in hospital. By using a virtual world to put the viewer in the shoes of the person with lived experience, the film has been created as an educational tool for viewers to gain a deeper understanding or awareness of what patients with dementia might experience being in hospital.

To support the virtual reality film, a workbook has also been designed by the research team in collaboration with our nursing students to support healthcare professionals working in hospitals understand and care for individuals living with dementia. Full of practical tips and information informed by research to help healthcare staff recognise and respond to the needs of patients with a dementia, it includes information, interactive activities and signposting, and providing recommendations on how to provide personalised care with tips on effective communication skills.

1 in 3

people born in the UK today will develop dementia in their lifetime

982,000

people in the UK have a form of dementia

Evaluating the effectiveness of VR as an educational tool

To evaluate the effectiveness of the VR film as an educational tool designed to enhance dementia education, research was conducted to explore its impact on student healthcare professionals’ understanding, empathy, and confidence in dementia care.

The research element of this study used a mixed-methods design using a pre-/post-design validated questionnaire and qualitative focus groups to evaluate the VR video as an educational tool for healthcare students.

The Insight Dementia filming team

Students reported positive impacts on person-centred care and the learner's understanding of the lived experience of dementia by helping the viewer walk in the shoes of a person with dementia. Students also reported increased confidence scores and understanding of dementia-related challenges after viewing the film. Qualitative data further highlighted the immersive nature of VR as a key factor in fostering empathy, reflection and engagement which also led to active changes in approach to care during placement.

VR-based training presents a valuable opportunity for enhancing dementia education in healthcare settings. The film can be accessed and viewed directly on this webpage or on YouTube; however, it is recommended to use a VR headset (where possible) to engage fully in the experience. If you would like to access the workbook, viewing instructions or any other additional materials, please use the download boxes below.

“The workbook that has been produced is a welcome resource for anyone who is caring for someone living with dementia. It is very clear and informative and I welcome its use as an educational resource in the acute hospital setting.”

– Vikki Tweedy, Advanced Nurse Practitioner (Dementia/Frailty), Dorset County Hospital