Evaluating mobile remote presence bots for medical consultation in nursing homes

Interviews with nursing home residents and medical practitioners who used a telepresence robot aka mobile remote presence bot (MRP) for medical consultation suggest that consulting via MRP is viable option for certain types of consultations. Participants perceived communication via the MRP as generally positive and the interaction felt natural even though it clearly wasn't the same as face-to-face conversation. The interpersonal quality of communication was slightly reduced; consultations may become more effective however this may impact on the emotional relationship between patients and doctors. Medical practitioners would be able to spend more time in conversation with their patients since time spent travelling to residential homes is greatly reduced. Consulting via MRP also offers a safe option during isolation regimes like the ones that have been implemented in long term care facilities around the world during the SARS-CoVID-2 pandemic.