Stepping into the Shoes of a Person with Dementia: Simulation-Based Learning and Person-Centered Care

Person-centered care (PCC) is instrumental in the treatment of individuals with dementia. Despite this finding, the literature supporting speech-language pathologists’ implementation of PCC is limited. Therefore, graduate programs must prepare future speech-language pathologists to provide appropriate, person-centered treatment. Simulation-based training has gained acceptance in healthcare education to promote realistic learning opportunities. Based on Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory (ELT; Kolb, 1984), simulation provides students with the link between theory, classroom-based knowledge, and application to clinical practice. However, its effects on preparing students to treat persons with dementia is unknown. Previous research showed increased knowledge, comfort, patient safety, and confidence of students following simulation-based training. Currently, no measurement is available to guide application of simulation-based training.