AUTHOR=Beran Tanya N. , Pearson Jacqueline Reynolds , Lashewicz Bonnie 

TITLE=Implementation of a Humanoid Robot as an Innovative Approach to Child Life Interventions in a Children’s Hospital: Lofty Goal or Tangible Reality?

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.639394

DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2021.639394

ISSN=1664-1078

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Introduction</title><p>This study reports the findings on how Child life specialists (CLSs) implemented an innovative approach to providing therapeutic support to pediatric patients.</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p>Part of a larger study that uncovered themes about CLSs’ experiences while working with MEDi<sup>®</sup>, this study reports the reflections that CLSs have about the process of implementation. Seven CLSs participated in semi-structured interviews. Content analysis was conducted on interview data and three themes were generated.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>The first was in regards to the adoption process whereby CLS challenges, successes, and surprises were revealed. Second, CLSs explained how using MEDi<sup>®</sup> aligned with the roles and responsibilities of their profession. The third area of understanding was in CLS explanation of the friendly emotional impact MEDi<sup>®</sup> seems to have on the hospital environment.</p></sec><sec><title>Conclusion</title><p>Child life specialists are encouraged to use the MEDi<sup>®</sup> robot to support children at the bedside.</p></sec>