Eastern Melbourne PHN and North Western Melbourne PHN, through the HealthPathways Melbourne program and in partnership with Dementia Australia, recently delivered two in-person immersive workshops utilising virtual reality (VR). These sessions provided participants with a unique perspective on dementia by allowing them to experience the condition through the eyes of EDIE, a person living with dementia. The workshops aimed to equip health professionals with essential tools, including clinical and referral pathways, to better support their patients with dementia, as well as their carers and families.
In addition to the VR experience, the workshops highlighted the Dementia clinical and referral pathways and Dementia Consumer resources, such as the Dementia Directory and Dementia information sheets. The feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with many indicating that VR training was their preferred platform for this type of education.
Participants were highly impressed with the sessions and expressed satisfaction with the VR experience for its insight into the lives of older people living with dementia. Many looked forward to implementing the new knowledge, techniques, and skills they acquired to improve their work environment and better support people living with dementia.
Participant Feedback:
- “Thank you for an excellent presentation.”
- “Great session—similar sessions would be helpful for carers in RACFs.”
- “Fantastic presentation, very useful information.”
- “Thank you for the chance for AHPs to do this training for free.”
These workshops have not only enriched participants' understanding but also emphasized the importance of innovative training methods in enhancing dementia care.