Telepresence Robot Use for Children with Chronic Illness in Australian Schools: A Scoping Review and Thematic Analysis

Keeping Connected With School: Implementing Telepresence Robots to Improve the Wellbeing of Adolescent Cancer Patients

“…Phase II findings also showed that participants' preference for and use of various robot features (e.g., mobility, allowing face to be shown on-screen) differed from individual to individual based on their needs, further illustrating the importance of a flexible telepresence robot service. Interestingly, although previous research has suggested that mobile telepresence robots are likely more appropriate and better facilitate connectedness in a school context than stationary robots (Page et al, 2020), the present findings suggest that robots like the Kubi TM (which is stationary but allows the user to swivel their viewpoint) may be a better fit for the needs of older students who are tending to use a robot more for academic reasons.…”

“…Telepresence robots have been more recently used to support the education of children with chronic conditions ( Page et al, 2020 ). Telepresence robots are remote-controlled devices with wireless connectivity allowing both video and audio connection, and can be mobile or stationary ( Page et al, 2020 ). There have been very few studies assessing the acceptability of telepresence robots in schools for adolescent cancer patients.…”

“…There have been very few studies assessing the acceptability of telepresence robots in schools for adolescent cancer patients. Looking at their effects on chronically ill students generally, a recent scoping review and thematic analysis examined the potential utility of telepresence robots for Australian schools, suggesting that telepresence robots can facilitate positive educational experiences and social development, reducing isolation ( Page et al, 2020 ). This review also highlighted the issues of connectivity difficulties and privacy potentially reducing robot acceptability, and reported instances of lack of acceptance of the technology by school peers, leading to bullying ( Page et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Looking at their effects on chronically ill students generally, a recent scoping review and thematic analysis examined the potential utility of telepresence robots for Australian schools, suggesting that telepresence robots can facilitate positive educational experiences and social development, reducing isolation ( Page et al, 2020 ). This review also highlighted the issues of connectivity difficulties and privacy potentially reducing robot acceptability, and reported instances of lack of acceptance of the technology by school peers, leading to bullying ( Page et al, 2020 ). A recent trial of telepresence robot technology with chronically ill students found that participants reported perceived increased connectedness and improved mood following the use of a telepresence robot ( Chubb et al, 2021 ).…”

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“…The TRECA service also appeared to provide patients with a sense of agency and achievement during a time in their life that was otherwise void of choice. These results align with research demonstrating telepresence robots' positive impacts on the wellbeing and sense of autonomy of school students with a chronic illness (Page et al, 2020). Importantly, Belizzi et al (2012) found many adolescent and young adult…”