Social robotics as an adjuvant during the hospitalization process in pediatric oncology patients.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the experience of implementing social robotics as an adjuvant during the hospitalization process in pediatric oncology patients. METHODS: Before and after cohort study, applying an intervention with the Lego Mindstorms EV3 kit in patients between 8 and 17 years old that are hospitalized with a cancer diagnosis. We excluded patients from the intensive care unit or when their treating physician recommended so. The intervention consisted of a three-phase workshop: an open architecture story, building a car robot using the Lego Mindstorm EV3 kit, and cooperative playing activities such as races and passing obstacles. RESULTS: Thirteen patients received the intervention with robotic lego. The median age was 15 years (IQR = 3), and 84.6% of the population (n = 11) were male. We found significant improvement in the language (topic management p = .011 and communicative intention p = .034). Other characteristics improved, but not significantly (self-care activities index, catching). No adverse events occurred during the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this pilot study suggest that implementing social robotics during hospitalization in children with cancer is a therapeutic adjuvant and safe intervention that promotes better communication, self-care, and a physical activity improvement. For future studies, the impact of this intervention could be measured in hospitalized pediatric cancer patients.

Education by a social robot on nutrition and catheter care in pediatric oncology patients.

PURPOSE: To improve knowledge on nutrition and catheter care in children with cancer by an educational intervention with a social robot. METHODS: We conducted a cohort study on pediatric cancer patients in a high complexity Hospital in Bogotá, Colombia. We included 14 patients (8-17 years old) who underwent an educational intervention with the help of a humanoid robot (Nao V6). The robot was programmed to transmit educational messages about self-care in feeding and using the central venous catheter. A survey with yes-no questions was administered before and after the intervention. RESULTS: We found an improvement in understanding of the subject matter related to nutrition and catheter care, when comparing the knowledge on topics before and after the educational intervention (p < .001). CONCLUSION: Education by a social robot on nutrition and catheter care showed a positive effect on children's knowledge on these topics. Therefore, it potentially decreases the risk of poor feeding habits and inadequate central venous catheter management, and improves adherence to recommendations and quality of life.

Papel del fonoaudiólogo en el área de salud mental: una experiencia profesional en el hospital militar central / Roll of the phonoaudiologist in the area of mental health: a professional experience in the central military hospital / Rolo do fonoaudiólogo na área de saúde mental: uma experiência profissional no hospital militar central

El objetivo del estudio que se publica fue describir el rol del fonoaudiólogo en el área de salud mental, a partir de la experiencia profesional en el Hospital Militar Central (HOMIC). La metodología empleada fue de tipo cualitativo descriptivo, seleccionando como variables los conocimientos y las habilidades y destrezas, tanto técnico procedimentales como interpersonales, que posee el fonoaudiólogo que trabaja en el área de salud mental. Para cumplir con el propósito se observó al profesional experto en la evaluación e intervención realizada durante el II semestre del 2008 a once pacientes hombres y mujeres con desórdenes cognitivo-comunicativos entre los 16 y los 88 años, diagnosticados previamente con enfermedad mental por el médico psiquiatra. Se estableció posteriormente el perfil del profesional de fonoaudiología en el área de salud mental, sus funciones y objetivos dentro de un equipo multidisciplinar, así como sus conocimientos, habilidades y destrezas. Igualmente se identificaron los procedimientos fonoaudiológicos que se realizan en el área de salud mental y las tareas que se deben desarrollar para evaluar e intervenir los desórdenes cognitivo-comunicativos. El estudió permitió ampliar y enriquecer los conocimientos teórico prácticos que sustentan el quehacer profesional del fonoaudiólogo en el área de salud mental, incluyéndolo como coadyuvante dentro de un equipo multidisciplinario, en la rehabilitación del paciente con enfermedad mental...

The objective of the present study was to describe the roll of the phonoaudiologist in the area of mental health, from the professional experience in the Central Military Hospital. The used methodology was of descriptive qualitative type, selecting as variables the knowledge and the abilities and skills, technical procedural as much as interpersonal, which the phonoaudiologist that works in the area of mental health possess. In order to fulfill this objective the expert professional was observed during the second semester of 2008 in the evaluations and interventions of eleven patients, men and women, with cognitive-communicative disorders between the ages of 16 and 88, diagnosed previously with mental disease by the psychiatrist. The profile of the professional of phonoaudiology in the area of mental health was later established, its functions and objectives within a multidisciplinary team, as well as its knowledge, abilities and skills. Also the phonoaudiologic procedures that are made in the area of mental health were identified and the tasks that must be developed to evaluate and to take treat the cognitive-communicative disorders. This study allowed to expand and to enrich the theoretical- practical knowledge that sustains the professional task of the phonoaudiologist in the area of mental health, including it within the multidisciplinary team, in the rehabilitation of the patient with mental disease...

O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever o rolo do fonoaudiólogo na área de saúde mental, a partir da experiência profissional no hospital militar central. A metodologia usada era do tipo qualitativo descritivo, selecionando como variáveis o conhecimento as habilidades e destrezas, tanto técnico procedimentais quanto inter pessoais, que tem o fonoaudiólogo que trabalha na área de saúde mental. Para cumprir o propósito observou-se o profissional perito na avaliação e na intervenção feitas durante o II semestre do 2008 a onze doentes homens e mulheres com transtornos cognitivo-comunicativos entre os 16 e 88 anos, diagnosticado previamente com doença mental pelo médico psiquiatra. Estabelece-se o perfil do profissional da fonoaudióloga na área de saúde mental, suas funções e objetivos dentro da equipe multidisciplinares, assim como seu conhecimento, habilidades e destrezas. Os procedimentos fonoaudiológicos que são feitos na área de saúde mental foram identificados também assim como as tarefas que se devem desenvolver para avaliar e intervir os transtornos cognitivos comunicativos. O permitiu estudo ampliar e enriquecer o conhecimento teórico-prático que sustentam a tarefa profissional do fonoaudiólogo na área de saúde mental, incluindo-lho dentro da equipe multidisciplinar na reabilitação do paciente com doença mental...