Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Apr 22, 2024
Open Peer Review Period: May 14, 2024 - Jul 9, 2024
Date Accepted: Apr 1, 2025
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
Using a Robot to improve the wellbeing of Care home residents using video calls, to address social isolation and loneliness: A feasibility study.
ABSTRACT
Background:
There are about 40 000 peopling livin in Norwegian care homes, where a majority are living with a dementia diagnosis. Social isolation and loneliness are common issues affecting care home residents quality of life. As a result of visitation restrictions during the pandmic, residents and family members started using digital solutions to keep in contact. There is no framework or guidelines to inform the uptake and use of technologies in the care home context and this often results in non-adoption and a lack of use after the introduction phase. Hence, there is a great need for research on the feasibility of a robot that can fasilitate video communication between residents and family members.
Objective:
The aim of the study was 1) to introduce video communication thorugh a robot to adress social isolation and loneliness in a care home during a period of six weeks, and 2) and identify elements central to the feasibility in terms of testing and evaluating the use of the robot.
Methods:
Three focus group interviews were undertaken; one with family members (n=4) and two with care staff (n=2 and n=2). The informants were purposely selected to ensure that they had the proper amount of experience with the robot in order to have the ability to inform the study’s objectives. The focus group interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed ad verbatim then subsequently analysed using systematic text condensation.
Results:
The data analysis of focus group interviews and individual interviews resulted in three categories: (i) Organizing the facilitation of video calls (ii) using a robot in dementia care (iii) user experience with the robot.
Conclusions:
Video communication in care homes is a feasible alternative to face-to-face interactions, but depends on organizational factors like information flow, resources, and scheduling. In dementia care, the user-friendly robot supports person-centered care through tailored social interaction. Both family members and staff express enthusiasm for video calls as an option and saw its potential for future use. Clinical Trial: In accordance with ICMJE recommendations, RCTs must have been registered in a WHO accredited trial registry.
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