RESUMO
AIM: This study was conducted to investigate the impacts of scenario-based aging simulation experience (SBASE) on students' empathy, attitudes toward and willingness to work with older adults. BACKGROUND: Innovative teaching strategies such as SBASE have the potential to provide students with the essential skills required for working with older adults. DESIGN: This study has a randomized controlled trial. METHODS: This study was conducted in west of Turkiye with 120 health sciences senior year students (45 nursing students, 54 medicine students and 21 physical therapy and rehabilitation students) in 2022-2023. The students were randomly assigned to intervention or control group (IG-CG). The IG received SBASE. Pre- and post-tests (after intervention, 1 and 3 months later) were conducted. Data were collected using the descriptive characteristics form, Kogan's attitudes toward old people scale, basic empathy scale and willingness to work with elderly people scale. RESULTS: The IG participants recorded statistically better scores regarding positive attitudes towards older adults, in terms of the group x time interaction (t: 2.521, p: 0.036). However, there was no significant difference in the variables investigated between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: SBASE appeared to be effective in improving health sciences students' positive attitudes towards older adults. Health care providers should have a more positive attitude toward older adults to improve levels of care. DATA AVAILABILITY: Data and supplementary material related to this article can be obtained from the corresponding author upon request.