Implementation of a Humanoid Robot as an Innovative Approach to Child Life Interventions in a Children's Hospital: Lofty Goal or Tangible Reality?

Tanya N Beran,Jacqueline Reynolds Pearson,Bonnie Lashewicz

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.639394

Tanya N Beran, Jacqueline Reynolds Pearson + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.639394

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Abstract

IntroductionThis study reports the findings on how Child life specialists (CLSs) implemented an innovative approach to providing therapeutic support to pediatric patients.MethodsPart of a larger study that uncovered themes about CLSs’ experiences while working with MEDi®, this study reports the reflections that CLSs have about the process of implementation. Seven CLSs participated in semi-structured interviews. Content analysis was conducted on interview data and three themes were generated.ResultsThe first was in regards to the adoption process whereby CLS challenges, successes, and surprises were revealed. Second, CLSs explained how using MEDi® aligned with the roles and responsibilities of their profession. The third area of understanding was in CLS explanation of the friendly emotional impact MEDi® seems to have on the hospital environment.ConclusionChild life specialists are encouraged to use the MEDi® robot to support children at the bedside.

Highlights

This study reports the findings on how Child life specialists (CLSs) implemented an innovative approach to providing therapeutic support to pediatric patients
We present a study of how a group of hospital healthcare professionals – namely, child life specialists – implemented and sustained an innovation in the form of incorporating a humanoid robot into their daily practice
Our second theme of Using MEDi R in Alignment with the CLS role is about how CLSs leveraged MEDi R in their practice, and we found three sub-themes of evidence of CLS efforts that include: (a) Using MEDi R to expand CLSs’ repertoire and effectiveness; (b) Using MEDi R to support children to be leaders in their hospital care; and (c) Working around the extra steps and limits involved in using MEDi R

Summary

Introduction

This study reports the findings on how Child life specialists (CLSs) implemented an innovative approach to providing therapeutic support to pediatric patients. The need for new or better ideas that add value to hospital care is undeniable (do Carmo CacciaBava et al, 2009; Mettler et al, 2017). The call for hospital care innovation is widespread and channeled through a variety of venues including conferences, journals, popular magazines, news reports, foundations, and from within hospitals themselves. Transform into sustained improvements (MacNeil et al, 2019). We present a study of how a group of hospital healthcare professionals – namely, child life specialists – implemented and sustained an innovation in the form of incorporating a humanoid robot into their daily practice.

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