Importance of Robotic Technology in Healthcare: A Critical Analysis

Running head: HEALTH INFORMATICS
Health Informatics
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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HEALTH INFORMATICS
Introduction
According to Huston (2013), shortages of staffs and other technical challenges (like
patient lifting and moving) highlighted that there is a growing need to design, develop and
implement robotic technology in the delivery of healthcare. The entire reliance on robotic
technology in the field of surgery has already been effective for decades however, recent
trends and advancements in the domain of healthcare has indicated the importance and
requirement of robotic technology in the delivery of primary healthcare. Eriksson and
Salzmann‐Erikson (2017) are of the opinion that the application of the robotic technology in
the intermediate and long-term care (ILTC) helps to prevent accidental fall and medication
error. Accidental fall and medication errors are regarded as an important health issue in ILTC
throughout the world causing fatal harms. The following essay aims to critically analyze the
importance of the nurse robot or robotic technology in assisting patients in the daily living
activities like showering, ambulating and eating in order to avoid accidental fall and
medication errors.
Critical Analysis
Robotic technology for assistance in bath
The research conducted by Klein and Schlömer (2018) was solely based on the
robotic shower system. Maintenance of the personal hygiene is crucial for the independent
living older adults or with person with disabilities. The information communication
technology (ICT) supported bath robots (I- Support) is regarded as an intelligent robotic
shower system which enables patients to take shower independently at their home or within
institutionalized settings. The aim of research conducted by Klein and Schlömer (2018) was
to elucidate whether I-support is ethically safe for the use of older adults and physically
disabled persons. Their analysis highlighted that I- Support is an intelligent robotic shower
system which is fitted with motorized chair in order to enable safe to stand-to-sit integrated
shower system for the service use. It is also fitted with human robotic interaction modalities
in order to ensure safe operation and controlling navigation of the system. The pressure
sensors are also implemented in order to detect the substantial contact with the body of the
users. Thus the study conducted by Klein and Schlömer (2018) highlighted that the I-Support
system is ethically safe and potent for the operations of the older adults. The MEESTAR
model further highlighted that socio-technical arrangements of I-Support are in sync with te

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HEALTH INFORMATICS
ethical consideration while providing autonomy, safety, justice and privacy to the service
users. It also highlighted that the I Support system is completely safe to use and promotes
healthy and wellbeing of the patients via negating the chances of accidental fall injury (Klein
& Schlömer, 2018).
Figure: Robotic Shower System
(Source: Klein & Schlömer, 2018)
The study conducted by Klein and Schlömer (2018) aligns with the results reported by
Werle and Hauer (2016). Werle and Hauer (2016) highlighted that the bath robot system
follows the guidelines of the users requirements as proposed by the international
classification of functioning of disability and health. Thus, robotic system not only helps to
reduce the manual error or labor but also promotes patients health and wellbeing via
satisfying the concept of autonomy, beneficence and non-malfeasance.