At Southmead Hospital in Bristol, researchers are experimenting with robots programmed to interact with patients for simple forms of physiotherapy (物理治疗). Another possible use might be basic bedside checks. Real applications are still some way off, but hospital leaders think this could help ease workforce pressure.
Everyone understands that people want more out of healthcare as they live longer. Hospitals have not enough workforce to meet those demands, and of course, robotics and technology can be taught to repeat unskilled tasks.
The hospital is working with Bristol Robotics Laboratory, looking at future care of patients in their own homes. This device can be controlled remotely to help with basic household tasks. Technology can clearly help those who need assistance at home, but might people feel they lose out from lack of human contact?
Professor Praminda Caleb-Solly at Bristol Robotics Laboratory said, "In no way are we looking to replace people, because nurses and doctors always think of what other people need and give them emotional support. The idea here is to improve the quality of care that can be provided. However, there are big questions over what that will mean for patients' experiences and the impact on staff. "
And away from patients, there's automation. Robots deliver most supplies around the hospital, including supplies to operating theatres and meals for the wards. They even have their own lifts. Because they do the heavy physical work, staff injuries have been reduced. Robot technology is also at work in the hospital drugstore. Orders for medicines are processed rapidly and made ready for clinical (临床的) teams. Pharmacists (药剂师) say it improves patient safety by eliminating (消除) human error.
Hugh Pym, BBC health editor, says that "robotic devices are thought to offer, potentially, major long-term benefits to hospitals. There's great potential there. " They won't necessarily offer cups of tea or even look like this. But the fact that hospital leaders are working with engineers on robotics shows there is a new vision for post-pandemic health and care.
