June 29, 2021
Occupational Health Nursing (OHN) Assistant Director Dr. Jenny Tsai and OHN PhD candidate Eunice Soh were selected as one of three finalists to compete at the UW School of Nursing 2021 Nursing Dawg Tank in May 2021. Selected finalists were invited to “pitch” the next innovation in nursing to improve health outcomes and change lives. The audience consisted of a panel of innovation experts and local community members whose votes determined the winner. After competitive presentations, the panel and audience voted for Dr. Tsai and Soh’s project to receive $15,000.
Their project will develop a training program for caregivers employed at adult family homes (AFH), a long-term care option for older adults and people with disabilities who desire to live and age in a residential environment. Little attention has been given to this essential and growing workforce. Dr. Tsai plans to develop a new virtual reality, remotely accessible education and training system that will provide an electronic learning environment mimicking different adult family home settings, residents, and scenarios where students can practice caregiving skills, their multiple roles, and their own health and safety protection in an integrated way. Dr. Tsai and Soh hope to use this innovative training to better equip the future workforce and also transform this growing industry to ensure the health and wellbeing of both caregivers and AFH residents.
Photo credit UW School of Nursing.
