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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:  [email protected]

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Thank you for listening!

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Intro and outro music with thanks: Upbeat and Sweet No Strings by Musictown

Lisa brings over 25 years of experience working in healthcare settings with older adults. The perspectives shared on this podcast are her own and do not represent the views of any past or current employer. Patient/resident stories are shared only with explicit permission or as anonymized composites for educational purposes.