Testing scenarios for using telepresence robots in healthcare settings

The ageing global population puts heavy pressure on healthcare systems everywhere. Addressing ageing-related chronic conditions requires employment of novel innovative solutions. Telehealth technologies, including telepresence robots (TPRs), are being rapidly developed to provide healthcare services...

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Main Authors: Janika Leoste, Kadri Strömberg-Järvis, Tarmo Robal, Kristel Marmor, Katrin Kangur, Anne-Mari Rebane
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-12-01
Series:Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2001037024000059
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author Janika Leoste
Kadri Strömberg-Järvis
Tarmo Robal
Kristel Marmor
Katrin Kangur
Anne-Mari Rebane
author_facet Janika Leoste
Kadri Strömberg-Järvis
Tarmo Robal
Kristel Marmor
Katrin Kangur
Anne-Mari Rebane
author_sort Janika Leoste
collection DOAJ
description The ageing global population puts heavy pressure on healthcare systems everywhere. Addressing ageing-related chronic conditions requires employment of novel innovative solutions. Telehealth technologies, including telepresence robots (TPRs), are being rapidly developed to provide healthcare services efficiently wherever needed. This article explores the role of TPRs in addressing the challenges of providing healthcare to an ageing population, emphasizing their potential advantages and drawbacks. Employing an exploratory research approach with qualitative data collection techniques, we tested three TPR usage scenarios in simulated healthcare settings: anamnesis, measurements, and falls and frailty. The study employed a non-random purposive sample comprising 25 participants, and was conducted at a medical facility in June 2023. The findings suggest that TPRs offer promising solutions for healthcare professionals and patients, especially in scenarios when physical presence is impossible or physical isolation is required to prevent contagion. However, the technology is not yet ready to substitute fully human medical workers, potentially causing patient reluctance and emphasizing the need for patient-centered approaches to technology adoption. In addition, more studies are needed to address ethical, privacy, and scalability concerns.
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publishDate 2024-12-01
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series Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal
spelling doaj-art-e57b26c88a7448db90b207c72d213d142025-08-20T02:52:08ZengElsevierComputational and Structural Biotechnology Journal2001-03702024-12-012410511410.1016/j.csbj.2024.01.004Testing scenarios for using telepresence robots in healthcare settingsJanika Leoste0Kadri Strömberg-Järvis1Tarmo Robal2Kristel Marmor3Katrin Kangur4Anne-Mari Rebane5Tallinn University, Narva rd 25, 10120 Tallinn, Estonia; Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate tee 5, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia; Corresponding author at: Tallinn University, Narva rd 25, 10120 Tallinn, Estonia.Tallinn Health Care College, Kännu 67, 13418 Tallinn, EestoniaTallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate tee 5, 19086 Tallinn, EstoniaTallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate tee 5, 19086 Tallinn, EstoniaTallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate tee 5, 19086 Tallinn, EstoniaTallinn Health Care College, Kännu 67, 13418 Tallinn, EestoniaThe ageing global population puts heavy pressure on healthcare systems everywhere. Addressing ageing-related chronic conditions requires employment of novel innovative solutions. Telehealth technologies, including telepresence robots (TPRs), are being rapidly developed to provide healthcare services efficiently wherever needed. This article explores the role of TPRs in addressing the challenges of providing healthcare to an ageing population, emphasizing their potential advantages and drawbacks. Employing an exploratory research approach with qualitative data collection techniques, we tested three TPR usage scenarios in simulated healthcare settings: anamnesis, measurements, and falls and frailty. The study employed a non-random purposive sample comprising 25 participants, and was conducted at a medical facility in June 2023. The findings suggest that TPRs offer promising solutions for healthcare professionals and patients, especially in scenarios when physical presence is impossible or physical isolation is required to prevent contagion. However, the technology is not yet ready to substitute fully human medical workers, potentially causing patient reluctance and emphasizing the need for patient-centered approaches to technology adoption. In addition, more studies are needed to address ethical, privacy, and scalability concerns.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2001037024000059Telepresence robotsHealthcareTelehealthAgeing population
spellingShingle Janika Leoste
Kadri Strömberg-Järvis
Tarmo Robal
Kristel Marmor
Katrin Kangur
Anne-Mari Rebane
Testing scenarios for using telepresence robots in healthcare settings
Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal
Telepresence robots
Healthcare
Telehealth
Ageing population
title Testing scenarios for using telepresence robots in healthcare settings
title_full Testing scenarios for using telepresence robots in healthcare settings
title_fullStr Testing scenarios for using telepresence robots in healthcare settings
title_full_unstemmed Testing scenarios for using telepresence robots in healthcare settings
title_short Testing scenarios for using telepresence robots in healthcare settings
title_sort testing scenarios for using telepresence robots in healthcare settings
topic Telepresence robots
Healthcare
Telehealth
Ageing population
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2001037024000059
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