Suiting up to Empathy

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Healthcare professionals with a positive attitude and empathetic towards older adults are at a better position to deliver quality healthcare. In this study, the investigators randomized pharmacy students to either a polypharmacy workshop or an immersive aging simulation suit and polypharmacy workshop to examine if simulation will enhance empathy levels among students

Detailed Description
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Healthcare professionals with a positive attitude and empathetic towards older adults are at a better position to deliver quality healthcare. In this study, the investigators randomized pharmacy students to either a polypharmacy workshop or an immersive aging simulation suit and polypharmacy workshop to examine if simulation will enhance empathy levels among students. This will be performed in all year 1 pharmacy students

Official Title
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Suiting up to Teach Pharmacy Students Empathy

Conditions
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Empathy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Use of an ageing suit
* Other: Polypharmacy workshop


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: All pharmacy students enrolled in the Pharmacy program

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 22 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Intervention<br>Intervention group will wear a simulation suit in which will mimic the physical limitations experienced by older adults. In addition, they will participate in a polypharmacy workshop which allows them to communicate with older adults | Behavioral: Use of an ageing suit<br>* The simulation suit consists of a pair glasses which simulates narrowing of visual field; a pair of gloves ; a vest ; elbow and knee wraps and sand bags worn on the wrists and ankles<br>* Other names: PAUL Simulation Suit;|
| Active Comparator: Control<br>This group will participate in a polypharmacy workshop which allows them to communicate with older adults | Other: Polypharmacy workshop<br>* Participants will conduct a full medication review for older adults within 1 hour and develop a medication list which can be used for counselling of older adults<br>* Other names: Medication review polypharmacy workshop;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Changes in Jefferson Empathy Scale | Change in empathy | Baseline at Week 0 to Post Workshop at Week 12 | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Subjective global question seeking opinion on the workshop and activity | Open ended qualitative response | Post intervention at Week 12 | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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randomised, simulation