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T H E S T U D Y : C A N D O C U M E N T I N G O L D E R A D U L T S ’ L I F E S T O R I E S I M P R O V E D E N T A L S T U D E N T S ’ E M P A T H Y ?

W H A T W E P L A N N E D

To explore whether life-story documentation is a suitable and effective method to develop empathy, we
planned a communication-focused study. We decided to include Year 1 and Year 2 students from the dental
degree programme at Universiti Malaya’s Faculty of Dentistry. These pre-clinical students would benefit from
the chance to interact with members of the public.

The study used an experimental design. We would collect data on the students’ empathy levels and
perceptions on aging before and after the process. The students would receive communication skills
training and carry out the life-story documentation task (see Figure 2). Comparing the pre and post
survey data will help us see if there is any change in the students’ empathy levels. Also, we planned to
share the life stories that the students created with the public, to promote positive representations of
older adults. The research activities would be conducted over an eight-week period.

Figure 2
Our experimental design which involves 17 dental students as well as 8 older adults

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