Nursing Education Through Simulation: A New Era in Intellectual Developmental Disability Care

Document Type

Poster Presentation

Publication Date

4-17-2026

Keywords

fsc2026

Abstract

Advancing health across diverse and dynamic care settings requires nursing graduates who are equipped to care for vulnerable populations, including individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). Despite representing a significant segment of the population, individuals with IDD continue to face persistent health disparities, including shorter life expectancy. Nursing curricula often fall short in preparing students to deliver competent, person-centered care to this population. To strengthen nursing science and ensure equity in clinical education, innovative strategies are needed that can standardize learning, foster empathy, and promote clinical reasoning across all learning environments.

To address this gap, faculty implemented an Augmented Reality (AR) simulation using the GigXR HoloPatient platform within a medical-surgical nursing course. Students engaged with an unfolding case featuring an older adult with IDD and comorbidities, who presented to the emergency department with signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI). The session included a traditional lecture, interactive group-based decision-making, and the projection of a virtual patient into the learning environment using iPads and AR headsets. Faculty guided students through clinical reasoning exercises, communication strategies, and individualized care planning, incorporating tools like the "About My Health" form to emphasize person-centered care.

Preliminary findings suggest the AR simulation enhanced students' understanding of the complex needs of patients with IDD, improved clinical judgement, and increased confidence in delivering high-quality care in dynamic settings. On a unit exam, 98% of students (n=156) answered UTI-related questions correctly. On the final exam, which included a case-based scenario, 55-100% answered correctly across multiple items. The AR format ensured consistent exposure to a population rarely encountered in traditional clinical placements.

This AR-based educational innovation demonstrates the strength of nursing science in advancing health equity through technology-enhanced learning. Integrating AR into nursing curricula is a scalable and impactful strategy to prepare future nurses to meet the needs of all individuals, regardless of setting, diagnosis, or background.

Comments

Poster presented at the 2026 Fisher Showcase, St. John Fisher University, April 17, 2026.

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