2017 Volume 51 Issue 2 Pages 131-135
Aging simulation-based training provides an opportunity for the trainee to experience physical changes in the elderly. It has been shown to promote psychological empathy and enhance understanding of others. An aging simulation-based training program was launched in the Department of Geriatric Dentistry at Osaka Dental University in fiscal year 2001 as a part of preclinical practice prior to clinical training in hospitals for stu dents who have completed their basic dental education. The data obtained was examined through quantitative text analysis using a combined approach and the open source text mining software KH Coder 2.00 e. Tabulations based on the coding rules ‹understanding of physical/psychological aspects›, ‹empathic understanding›, and ‹changes in self consciousness› accounted for 71.2%, 44.7%, and 34.8% of the responses, respectively. We objectively confirmed that the aging simulation-based training program for dental stu dents enhancd their understanding of the elderly. In addition, it highlighted the impor tance of appropriate simulation procedures and the importance of the content of the training. (J Osaka Dent Univ 2017; 51: 131-135)
