Social Robotics in Healthcare: Implications for Policy

Social robots are complex machines which can interact with people and with each other. Within healthcare, social robots are seen as a possible way to address the growing human resource and economic pressures on healthcare systems. The purpose of this project was to get an overview of the social robotics field and its focus in terms of health and wellness applications, current issues/challenges in the field, and implications for health policy. We conducted a literature review of research papers focused on social robotics. Literature was collected from the following databases: ScienceDirect, Compendex, IEEE, Communication Abstracts, Scopus, OVID(All), EBSCO(All), Academic One File, Web of Science, and JSTOR.  Out of 489 articles, we included 171 (based on social-science related content; excluded: pure technical papers). Articles were coded using Atlas.ti qualitative data analysis software. Main healthcare applications of social robots included eldercare, autism, and rehabilitation therapy. Major challenges for social robotics included acceptance, safety, ethics (of using robots in healthcare), and employment implications (i.e. robots taking over human jobs). These issues must be considered by care providers and health policy makers if social robots are to be implemented in healthcare in a socially acceptable and appropriate manner. In addition, we conducted a survey of a disability service organization in Saskatchewan which revealed important themes and issues related to the acceptance of social robots as aids for disabled persons

Ethics of artificial wombs: missing angles and special concerns

Artificial womb technology (ectogenesis) is commonly associated with visions of science fiction societies where babies are manufactured and grown outside the woman’s body; however, ectogenesis is well on its way to becoming a reality. We reviewed literature related to the artificial womb and the discourses around this technology. Literature was collected from the following databases: ScienceDirect, Compendex, IEEE, Communication Abstracts, Scopus, OVID(All), EBSCO(All), Academic One File, Web of Science, and JSTOR. Out of 194 articles, 133 were included (based on relevance to the topic). Current literature on artificial wombs mainly focuses on feminist issues of whether or not this technology will liberate or oppress women, and in the context of the abortion debate. However, the use of artificial wombs has implications for gender relations and women’s rights on a global scale. For example, what affect will ectogenesis have on women’s autonomy, social well-being, and status in low- and middle-income countries? What will be the effect on family structure and gender imbalances that are already present in countries like India and China? We outline several future possibilities and implications of artificial womb technology. Furthermore, the ethical, legal, economic implications go beyond those impacting just women, globally. They have meaning on a national and international level, in regards to population dynamics, social structure, international competition and development, etc, and are just logical steps away from becoming reality

Experiences of vulnerable women in a prenatal education class in Calgary: An ethnographic approach

Vulnerable populations are under-represented in prenatal education and experience barriers to access despite many programs being free of charge. Understanding how vulnerable women perceive and experience prenatal education can point to what factors might aid in recruiting and retaining them in education programs. I conducted an ethnographic study of prenatal classes at the Calgary Pregnancy Care Centre. Through observations, field notes, and in-depth interviews with participants, four main themes emerged: Perceptions of the class - classes were seen as a source of social support (esp. for lone mothers) as well as formal knowledge about pregnancy and birth; The “nature” of the client – instructors’ assumptions about the “nature” of the clients dictated how the classes were run; Formal knowledge vs. experiential knowledge, and Lone mothers and the role of partners. Prenatal education programs should consider the diverse perspectives which surround and shape vulnerable women’s experiences of prenatal education

Information Flow and Health Policy Literacy: The Role of the Media

informatio

Social Robots, Brain Machine Interfaces and Neuro/Cognitive Enhancers: Three Emerging Science and Technology Products through the Lens of Technology Acceptance Theories, Models and Frameworks

technologie

Emerging Therapeutic Enhancement Enabling Health Technologies and Their Discourses: What Is Discussed within the Health Domain?

healthcar