Pedagogy without Borders: New Frontiers of Teaching and Technology

As Indigenous Peoples face significant health inequities driven by systemic racism in healthcare systems. Addressing these biases through education is critical for fostering empathy and cultural humility in future healthcare providers. This abstract explores the development and implementation of an immersive virtual reality (VR) simulation aimed at depicting the racism experienced by Indigenous Peoples within healthcare settings.
 
The VR experience transports nursing students into two realistic scenarios, where they witness or experience microaggressions, discrimination, and inequitable treatment directed toward Indigenous patients. This immersive simulation encourages students to reflect on how bias and prejudice affect patient care and outcomes. The project utilizes Indigenous voices and collaborators to ensure authenticity and cultural sensitivity, adhering to ethical guidelines in storytelling.
 
Preliminary findings suggest that students who participated in the VR simulation reported increased awareness of their own biases and a deeper understanding of the unique challenges faced by Indigenous patients. Many students demonstrated a shift toward greater empathy and cultural humility, essential attributes for providing compassionate, equitable care.
 
This abstract discusses the VR design process, the role of Indigenous partnerships in creating culturally accurate representations, and the evaluation of the simulation’s effectiveness in nursing education. This innovative approach can significantly impact how nursing students understand and confront racism, ultimately contributing to better health outcomes for Indigenous communities.