Impact of an Emotional Robot on Quality of Working Life of Caregivers in a Geriatric Unit

In the researchers' words

Since February 2016, with the objective of improving the quality of life and the autonomy of residents, the Le Mans General Hospital uses an interactive "emotional" robot within its geriatric wards. This emotional robot, Paro, is equipped with a dozen sensors, 3 microphones and interacts with its user: it reacts to touch, voice and heat making small sounds and moves its head, fins and tail. The algorithm that governs Paro's behavior allows him to offer a behavioral answer adapted to the user's stimuli. Thus, Paro is able to communicate beneficial emotions to patients. To this day however there is no published study exploring the effect of such a robot on team dynamics among caregivers in hospital units. Our research aims at highlighting the benefits that a healthcare team perceives when working with this tool among patients suffering from dementia.