UNE鈥檚 Marilyn Gugliucci discusses virtual reality in health education on Los Angeles radio station

Marilyn Gugliucci was recently a guest by phone on L.A. radio station KPCC
Marilyn Gugliucci was recently a guest by phone on L.A. radio station KPCC

Marilyn R. Gugliucci, Ph.D., professor and director of Geriatrics Education and Research in UNE鈥檚 College of Osteopathic Medicine, was recently a guest by phone on the program for a discussion on how virtual reality (VR) is being used in the context of medicine.

The program focused on how students see through the eyes of their patients as a result of VR training.

鈥淪tudents that are in the health professions often times really respond to experiential learning a lot better than through passive lectures,鈥 Gugliucci told host Larry Mantle. 鈥淭hey like to be hands-on.鈥

51小黄车students are currently using a virtual reality simulation program called 鈥淐lay.鈥  When they put the program鈥檚 headset on they become a 66-year-old veteran named Clay, who is diagnosed with a terminal illness. Students then experience the end-of-life in three stages.

鈥淚f we can get our students to be more empathic about some of the conditions that older adults are going through, and we do that through virtual reality, then at least we are raising awareness and hopefully opening their hearts,鈥 Gugliucci said on the program.

Gugliucci says the VR Clay Lab really helps students understand what the patient is going through much better than a classroom lecture or reading about it in a book.

 

Marilyn Gugliucci oversees a student using a VR simulator
Marilyn Gugliucci oversees a student using a VR simulator