Aged Simulation Suit Among Physiotherapy Students

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.

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.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Being volunteer to participate

Exclusion Criteria:

* Having an advanced visual and balance problems especially associated with inner ear