Benefits of Pet Therapy and PARO Robot in Healthcare

Running head: ASSIGNMENT
HEALTHCARE ASSIGNMENT
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1ASSIGNMENT
Summary of Evidence and Recommendations
While providing effective care to the patients suffering from dementia,
application of healthcare intervention that could enhance their mood and increase their
sense of positivity should be applied so that their anxiety, stress and other complicated
health complications could be treated (Lundqvist et al. 2017, P. 358). The two main
interventions are pet therapy or PARO (robot). Firstly, the pet therapy is an effective
strategy that helps to target each of the critical aspects of mental illness such as
depression, social isolation, loneliness and mental trauma (Rhoades, Winetrobe &
Rice, 2015, p. 240). However, Animals are often not allowed in daycares centres or
nursing home, due to the possibility of an allergic reaction, the risk of injury to staff,
patients or visitors, and the potential annoyance of cleaning up after the animals
(Zafra-Tanaka et al., 2019, p. 43). Further, the cost of the pet care (time, money and
space) might exceed the benefits of a few hours of pet therapy per day (Bernabie et al.,
2013, p. 765). Cultural differences may also hinder therapy by use of animals; for
instance, some communities may view dogs as irritating(Mental Health Foundation UK
2019, p. 2). Similarly another intervention PARO, which a therapeutic robot seals that
helps the patient to lower stress, reducing anxiety, and improving depression(Yu et al.,
2015). Use of PARO stimulates social interactions, enhances communication and
improves the mood of older people with dementia (Yu et al., 2015, p. 37). Research
shows that PARO is inclusive of five sensors namely tactile, light, audition,
temperature, and posture sensors, which perceives the patient's environment and then
helps to calm the person to lift their mood Parorobots.com)). Moreover, pet robot had
advantages compared to real pet: they do not carry disease; they need less care; and
their behaviour can be better controlled (Shibata & Coughlin, 2014, p. 422). Hence as

2ASSIGNMENT
per the NHMRC clinical guideline, application of PARO robot in the mental healthcare
should be conducted so that the patient could be provided with effective intervention
without any risk (Laver et al., 2016 p.3). Finally, based on the facts presented, the use
of pet therapy should be avoided and the PARO robotics should be implemented in the
provided patient case.
Ethical consideration
To ensure that ethical practice is effected, healthcare professionals are guided
by certain principles which include; non-maleficence, beneficence, autonomy, and
justice. Autonomy gives the patient the right and freedom to make informed decisions
on personal matters. To ensure that this ethical principle is not violated, patients should
be allowed the final decision making on whether to incorporate PARO to their care or
if to use animal therapy at all. PARO has the ability to create connections with elderly
persons, who are cognitively, emotionally, or socially isolated (Birks et al., 2016, p. 5).
The health practitioner should however not force the use of PARO on the patient even
in light of these benefits. Beneficence means that healthcare practitioners should act in
a manner that promotes the wellbeing of others. In this situation, the professional is
free to recommend the use PARO if he or she feels that it is in the best interest of the
patient but the latter should make the final decision on the same. Non-maleficence
indicates that it is more important for healthcare professionals not to harm their
patients than to help them while justice is concerned with the distribution of the limited
medical resources and the decision making on who obtains which treatment. Clinical
practitioners should not suggest the use of PARO to patients if they do not consider
that it will be helpful. If they realize that the cost of PARO is more than its benefits
they should refrain from recommending it to avoid violating the non-maleficence