PROJECT REPORT ROBUST: Socio-robotics at the heart of care – Prevention and health promotion in long-term care facilities

Abstract

The ROBUST project (Robotics-based support for prevention and health promotion in inpatient care facilities) had the central goal of co-designing, developing and sustainably establishing preventive and health-promoting measures for people in need of care and their care-ecosystem in long-term care facilities. This was based on the GKV (the German GKV (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) system is the country’s statutory health insurance scheme that provides comprehensive healthcare coverage to most residents through public, non-profit insurance funds) guidelines for health promotion and prevention in long-term care facilities following Section 5 of SGB XI, which provides for the targeted strengthening of individual health behavior, health resources, and the improvement of health-promoting framework conditions. ROBUST pursued a unique, practical research approach that focused on the needs and perspectives of all stakeholders involved. The combination of long-term research and participatory development made it possible not only to design innovative socio-robotic solutions from a technological perspective, but also to integrate them directly into the everyday work of multi-professional groups of actors in care facilities and to develop them further together with those affected. The participatory approach of ROBUST was characterized by the active involvement of residents, professional caregivers, and other professionals from the field of design, conception, development, and evaluation of the applications. This not only supported the technical implementation but also ensured a high level of acceptance and sustainable use of the developed health services. Particularly noteworthy is the close integration of research, development, and practice. ROBUST has shown that modern technologies such as robotics can be used specifically for health promotion and prevention in order to sustainably strengthen the physical, cognitive, and social resources of people in need of care. The integration of the humanoid robot Pepper into everyday care illustrates how technological innovations can contribute to improving the quality of life in inpatient care facilities. The results of the project provide valuable insights into how robotics can be integrated into existing structures as a socio-technical support system and which factors are crucial for successful implementation. 5 1. Joint foreword The insights gained will not only serve to further develop robotics-based healthcare services but can also be used as a model for future research and innovation projects in the field of nursing and health promotion. We would like to express our gratitude to all those involved who have enriched this project with their commitment, knowledge, and openness. Your contribution has helped to make ROBUST not only a scientific study but also a living example of the successful linking of research, development, and practice for health promotion and prevention.