Satisfaction and Technology Evaluation of a Telehealth Robotic Program to Optimize Healthy Independent Living for Older Adults

Abstract

Background and Purpose With the growth in the aging population, and shortage of primary care providers, telehealth programs are needed to optimize healthy independent living for older adults. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a nurse‐led intervention program delivered through a telepresence robot to promote healthy lifestyles and address chronic illness management among older adults living independently in a retirement community. Telepresence robots provide two‐way video‐mediated communication with remote in‐home navigation. Design and Methods Satisfaction and technology evaluation ratings of the Telehealth Community Health Assistance Team (T‐CHAT) program, as well as qualitative data from open‐ended questions, were obtained from 26 older adults and 7 nurse practitioner students. Findings On a scale from 1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree, satisfaction ratings were positive for usefulness (M = 3.90), ease of use (M = 4.16), and acceptability (M = 4.06). Technology evaluation ratings were high for all sessions (M = 4.35). Older adults and nurse practitioner students were highly complementary of the program. Areas for improvement were identified. Conclusions The T‐CHAT program demonstrated high ratings for satisfaction (usefulness, ease of use, acceptability) and for evaluation of the telepresence robot technology. Further refinement of the T‐CHAT program is warranted, as is testing outcomes of this potentially viable mode of healthcare delivery. Clinical Relevance Robotics is the wave of the future and provides an innovative mode of delivery to address health promotion and chronic illness management in older adults. Satisfaction and technology evaluation of robotic technology is paramount prior to implementation of such programs into practice.

Adapting the telephone assessment and skill‐building kit to the telehealth technology preferences of stroke family caregivers

“…All rating forms had response scales ranging from 1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree, with 3 representing "neither agree nor disagree" (i.e., neutral). The rating forms were derived from program evaluation methodology (Royse et al, 2001), technology evaluation of a telehealth program for older adults (Bakas, Sampsel et al, 2018), and from the satisfaction scale used to evaluate the original TASK program (Bakas et al, 2009a). The rating forms designed specifically for this study were reviewed by the research team, consisting of interdisciplinary experts in stroke family caregiving, instrument development, and information technology.…”

Impacts of a Care Robotics Project on Finnish Home Care Workers’ Attitudes towards Robots

“…Attitudes towards robots have been studied quite a lot [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ]. Similarly, a lot of short experiments have been done on the effectiveness of different robots in the care context [ 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ]. The results of these studies have been largely encouraging.…”

“…According to the quasi-experimental study of Obayashi, Kodate and Masuyam [ 27 ], socially assistive robots also have great potential for improving older people’s quality of life. The telepresence robot has also proven to be easy to use, acceptable and useful [ 28 , 29 ]. A therapy robot (Paro), social robots, a telepresence robot, and some other robots (cf.…”

Designing Futuristic Telemedicine Using Artificial Intelligence and Robotics in the COVID-19 Era

“…Clinics are expanding their telehealth services to screen patients for COVID-19, which is critical to identifying patients and speeding up medical care, as well as limiting public exposure (11,32). Bundling of various specialties such as teleradiology, tele-oncology, and telepathology is another area of crucial consideration to facilitate comprehensive management (35).…”

“…Robotics can be used in outbreaks of infections to minimize further exposure (45,46): for disinfection, delivery of drugs and food, measuring vital signs, facilitating border control, and automatic disinfection (43). Telepresence robots allow for two-way communication and can be remotely controlled to provide support to those in isolation by connecting patients with family and physicians (35). Exposure to COVID-19 may stimulate further robotics research to address the risk of infectious diseases (42).…”