The Upcoming Role for Nursing and Assistive Robotics: Opportunities and Challenges Ahead

Abstract

As an integral part of patient care, nursing is required to constantly adapt to changes in the healthcare system, as well as the wider financial and societal environment. Among the key factors driving these changes is the aging of population. Combined with an existing shortage of nursing and caregiving professionals, accommodating for the patients and elderly needs within hospitals, elderly-care facilities and at a home setting, becomes a societal challenge. Amongst the technological solutions that have evolved in response to these developments, nursing and assistive robotics claim a pivotal role. The objective of the present study is to provide an overview of today's landscape in nursing and assistive robotics, highlighting the benefits associated with adopting such solutions in standard clinical practice. At the same time, to identify existing challenges and limitations that essentially outline the area's future directions. Beyond technological innovation, the manuscript also investigates the end-users' angle, being a crucial parameter in the success of robotics solutions operating within a healthcare environment. In this direction, the results of a survey designed to capture the nursing professionals' perspective toward more informed robotics design and development are presented.

The Increasing Centrality of Robotic Technology in the Context of Nursing Care: Bioethical Implications Analyzed through a Scoping Review Approach

“…Christoforou et al [ 20 ] proposed the results of a survey conducted on 115 students of the Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Cyprus University of Technology (CUT).…”

Assistive Healthcare Robotics – Challenges in Nursing Service Innovation: Critical Review

“…For instance, they alleviate healthcare workers of time or physical strain; as well provide valuable patient information [20]. Various technical innovations are born in response to the current shortage of nursing and caregiving practitioners, as well as increasing healthcare costs [21]. It has become critical to build care robotics for and by nurses [5] as robots, by definition, communicate with, and influence, their surroundings [22].…”

Robotic Systems on the Frontline Against the Pandemic

“…Also, Akbari et al [35] presented the case of US probe manipulation by a dexterous robot arm, effectively minimizing the contact between healthcare professionals and patients. The use of nursing robots [3] has been attracting renewed attention towards reducing physical contact between healthcare professionals and patients [36]. They may also help to reduce the usage of personal protective equipment and also avoid contamination during its removal.…”

“…Applications of robotics in healthcare are rapidly increasing with the International Federation of Robots (IFR) forecasting a growing demand for robots in the healthcare sector, estimated at 9.1 billion USD by 2022 [1]. Robots in clinical practice also include surgical systems [2] and nursing robotics [3]. Following the novel coronavirus crisis (COVID-19) a new role for robotics has emerged towards the combat of a pandemic.…”