The Faculty of Applied Science hosted a research showcase in February for Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon, the President of UBC.
March 18, 2025
This showcase demonstrated how engineers, planners, architects, and nurses are using specialized skills to create change that benefits people, places, and our planet. Dr. Elizabeth Saewyc attended with Ash Scott and Dr. Kristen Haase and their research teams.
Ashley Scott, Associate Professor of Teaching, offered this information about his showcase:
I showcased my research on the development and evaluation of an AI-driven, virtual reality simulation designed to enhance nurse practitioner training. The project focuses on usability, student perceptions, and its impact on learning, particularly in preparing students for clinical practice and OSCEs.
The simulation integrates AI-driven natural language processing to create realistic patient interactions, and provides students with dynamic feedback on their clinical decision-making and consultation skills. My work aims to explore how emerging technology can improve competency-based training in nursing education.
Dr. Kristen Haase and Bonnie Leung (NP, PhD student, BC Cancer) presented on the work that the ACCESS Research Lab is doing on geriatric oncology services in Canada—specifically, the lack of clinics specializing in the care of older adults with cancer in Western Canada. This is despite statistics showing that cancer is more common among older adults and that they are more likely to experience cognitive and functional challenges.
Top care priority: Quality cancer care should not only occur during treatments – quality care should begin from diagnosis and continue throughout survivorship.
Top Research priority: Explore the role, potential benefit, and feasibility of geriatric assessment and co-management by a healthcare team (including nurses, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, pharmacist to name a few).
Knowledge to Action –
Geriatric Oncology Clinic: Bridging care gap by increasing access to geriatric medical services
Nurse Navigator: Pilot project exploring the value of a nurse navigator dedicated to support older adults in cancer clinical trials
Nurse-led Geriatric Screening and Management: Pilot project on the integration of geriatric screening and management as part of routine oncology practice
Clinical Pharmacist-Initiated Medication Deprescribing: Pilot project on reducing the negative consequences of polypharmacy among older adults with cancer
