Exploration of robotic system design in improving the patient experience in physical therapy sessions at the UVA Children's Hospital

The patient-centered care paradigm is an influential healthcare management model that can improve the way care is delivered. Autonomous agents may be implemented in hospitals to enhance patient-centered by adding tailored patient interaction without the expense of hiring additional workforce. Observations in the University of Virginia's Children's Hospital Physical Therapy unit were conducted to gather qualitative data regarding the typical patient experience. Laban/Bartenieff Movement Studies framework was used to interpret observations and to articulate specific bodily movements and their connection to a patient's emotional state. With a movement-based design, an autonomous solution was designed to embody behaviors that replicate observed patient-caregiver interactions; automating this can improve patient experience. Robotic behaviors were designed on the humanoid NAO robot. The paper presents high-level robotic control techniques to design a set of programmed behaviors to supplement child physical therapy sessions.