Aged Simulation Suit Among Physiotherapy Students
Condition: Empathy; Attitude
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      Turkey is the second fastest aging country in the world. According to the Turkey Statistical
      Institute's data, the distribution of the population aged 65 and over is expected to be 25.6%
      in 2080. Today, studies have been started to determine the empathy and attitudes of the young
      generation, especially the younger generation, towards older individuals and to develop them.
      In this context, it is thought that the simulation designed to simulate the aging process of
      human beings may have a positive effect on students' understanding of aging and perception of
      aging. In this study, the effect of aged simulation suit on empathy and attitudes towards
      elderly people will be determined in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation undergraduate students.
    

Detailed description: 
      Attitude is defined as a positive or negative assessment of people, objects or events that
      reflect one's knowledge, emotions, and behavior towards people, objects or events. Physical
      degeneration in the elderly can easily lead to prejudice or discrimination against older
      adults, especially in the younger generation. The younger generation sees older adults as a
      different group and labels them with negative traits. However, education has an important
      role in changing attitudes towards older people and developing professional cultures. In this
      context, the positive attitudes and behaviors of healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses,
      physiotherapists, etc.) starting from the pre-graduation period are of great importance for
      quality health services.

      Empathy, which consists of emotional, cognitive, operational, and physiological behavior and
      reaction compounds, was mostly evaluated as a process of relationships and attitudes.
      Healthcare providers should be able to grasp patients' perspectives (cognitive empathy) and
      relate to their emotions and experiences (emotional empathy). It can be difficult to
      understand other people's perspectives, especially if they have not experienced disability
      due to aging or disease. It has been reported in the literature that health professionals
      lack empathy and understanding towards older individuals. It has been suggested that empathy
      in patient care can be developed at a basic level and through vocational education. Defining
      the attitudes of healthcare professionals and students and implementing new educational
      strategies that encourage positive attitudes towards the elderly while they are still
      students are important for increasing the quality of healthcare offered to the elderly and
      developing a positive attitude.

      In medical and health sciences undergraduate education, there has been a lack of specific
      lessons on which directly focuses empathy, yet simulation-based modalities have been shown to
      be impacted on students' perceptions regarding attitude and empathy.

      Thus, this study aims to assess the attitude and empathy level toward on elderly people among
      health sciences undergraduate students. The intervention which is mainly based upon wearing
      an aged simulation suit through some activities related to independent living and mobility
      has been planned to performed.
    

Intervention name(s): Aged Simulation Suit
Intervention type(s): Other
Intervention description(s): The aged simulation suit (Sakamoto Model M716, Tokyo, Japan) will be worn by students. The simulation suit consist of a several items such as loads, a soft material band with Velcro, glasses, ear plugs, gloves, belts and a cane. All the items are need to simulate one's posture just like in elderly person. Small, medium and large sizes of suits are provided by the company thereby each suit is suitable for each student related to their wearing size. Prior to this study, a total of three sets of suits will be gathered. Then, each student will perform each pre-defined scenarios step by step after the suit is worn. During the activities no help or leading will be given to the students. However, one of the researchers will supervise the students during the activities so that to integrate a safe platform. In addition, each student will be informed that if he/she can terminate the activity whenever it is required.
Intervention model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Other