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Episode Description
Dr. Marie Savundranayagam's innovative virtual reality training program is transforming dementia care by teaching healthcare providers person-centred communication skills in an immersive, judgment-free environment. Her research and personal caregiving experience have shaped a program that helps frontline workers see beyond the condition to connect with the whole person, improving care outcomes while rekindling caregivers' passion for their profession.
Key Takeaways:
- Be Epic VR uses conversational artificial intelligence to create realistic practice scenarios with diverse avatars
- Personal caregiving experience with her father who had Parkinson's disease inspired Marie's research focus
- Research identified "missed opportunities" where caregivers failed to respond to personal conversation openings
- Cultural humility approach acknowledges we can never fully understand others' experiences but remain open to learning
- The program gives gentle feedback when learners miss opportunities, avoiding shame while encouraging growth
- Virtual reality training reduces fear of making mistakes, allowing participants to practice difficult scenarios
- Managers report staff show increased confidence and better person-centred care after training
- Research shows significant measurable improvements in communication approaches after completing the program
- Future research will examine potential implicit bias in how we communicate with people of different backgrounds
- Even in rushed healthcare environments, small communication changes can make meaningful differences
Learn more about Be EPIC: https://www.uwo.ca/fhs/care/be_epic/index.html
Contact Marie: msavund@uwo.ca
@SamkatzCHARU on X
@samkatzcharu on Instagram
Sam Katz CHARU on LinkedIn
Thank you for listening!
Do you have a question or a topic related to "capturing essence for care" that you would like discussed on the podcast? Text the show using the link above or send Lisa an email: awestruckaspirations@gmail.com
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Intro and outro music with thanks: Upbeat and Sweet No Strings by Musictown
