Centre for Learning, Research & Innovation in Long-Term Care
Program Evaluation:
Aging Simulation Suit Project
Project Mentor: Sylvia Davidson
Professional Practice Chief, Occupational Therapy,
Baycrest
In partnership with Gillian Nichol,
Director of Continuing Education,
The Michener Institute for Applied Health Sciences
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Sakamoto New Aged
Simulation Suit (M176)
 Sakamoto Model Corporation
developed suit that allows
wearer to experience physical
changes due to aging
Physical Changes:




Impaired vision
Impaired hearing
Mobility restrictions
Grip strength
Centre for Learning, Research & Innovation in Long-Term Care
Background
•
Aging simulations have been used in education in health
disciplines, specifically nursing and medicine (CannonDiehl, Rugari, & Jones, 2012).
•
Literature investigating effects of these simulations is
limited (Mast, Sawin, & Pantaleo, 2012).
•
Although role plays of aging have been used for some
time, full head-to-toe suits are a relatively new concept
Centre for Learning, Research & Innovation in Long-Term Care
Need for Project
The Michener Institute’s Objective:
 To obtain feedback from occupational and
physiotherapists at Baycrest regarding the use of the
Sakamoto suit.
Purpose of Simulation:
 Enhance education for health care professionals via
experiential learning
 Increase knowledge and understanding of geriatric
patients
 Increase empathy towards geriatric patients
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Development of Simulation
Subject Recruitment
Gillian Nichol requested occupational therapists and
physiotherapists
 E-mail was sent out to Rehabilitation Dept., Baycrest
Hospital
Others (nurses, physicians, educators) were included as well
 By personal invitation
Centre for Learning, Research & Innovation in Long-Term Care
Development of Simulation
Subject Recruitment
Participant pool included:
 1 occupational therapy student (pilot subject)
 1 occupational therapist
 1 occupational therapy/physiotherapy assistant
 2 physiotherapists
 1 registered nursing student
 3 registered nurses
 1 physician/CEO of Baycrest
n = 10
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Development of Simulation
Design of Scenarios
 In collaboration with Gillian Nichol:
 Chose tasks relevant to Michener Institute programs
 Created 3 scenarios to be tested on 3 subjects each
 Modifications to suit were applied in each scenario
 Considered availability of space and resources in
Rehabilitation Department
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Development of Simulation
Pilot Test
Pilot test included 3 scenarios:
1. Waiting room
2. Mock MRI
3. Dressing for examination
Subject was given extreme mobility restrictions, impaired vision and
impaired hearing
Issues raised with pilot test
 Scenarios shorter than desired
 Waiting = key component of healthcare visits -> include in all scenarios
 Availability of Physio Room allowed for creation of additional scenario
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Development of Simulation
Revisions
Scenario
Visual
Impairment
Hearing
Impairment
Mobility
Impairment
✔
Slight
1
Waiting room + mock MRI
✔
2
Waiting room + mock X-ray
✔
3
Waiting room + dressing
examination
Moderate
✔
Severe
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Development of Simulation
Questionnaire
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Simulations
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Findings
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Conclusion/Summary
•
•
•
Simulation increased knowledge + understanding of
geriatric patients
Simulation contributed to ability to empathize with
geriatric patients
Overall Consensus:
Aging suit simulation is a beneficial tool to
incorporate into programs at the Michener Institute
for health care disciplines
Centre for Learning, Research & Innovation in Long-Term Care
Recommendations
1. Include both an orientation and reflection period following
the simulation in order to obtain maximal effectiveness in
education.
2. In future simulations, incorporate additional aspects of
aging into scenarios – specifically ageism.
Centre for Learning, Research & Innovation in Long-Term Care
References
1. (2003). The aging game [Documentary]. United States of
America: Aquarius Health Care Videos.
2. Cannon-Diehl, M. R., Rugari, S. M., & Jones, T. S. (2012).
High-fidelity simulation for continuing education in
nurse anesthesia. American Association of Nurse
Anesthetists Journal, 80(3), 191-196.
3. Mast, M. E., Sawin, E. M., & Pantaleo, K. A. (2012).
Life of a caregiver simulation: Teaching students
about frail older adults and their family
caregivers. Journal of Nursing Education, 51(7),
396-402.
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Acknowledgements