Technology has always been used to assist us in completing tasks more quickly, efficiently, and accurately. Healthcare is no exception. As one of the most important industries in our society, researchers are exploring the many opportunities for robotics to assist healthcare providers and create better outcomes for patients.
As healthcare has improved, we are experiencing growth in the population of Americans 65 and older. By 2060, it’s estimated that around 25% of Americans will be part of this group. Robots won’t replace nurses, but they could be a key component in coping with the inevitable shortage of nurses in coming years.
Robots are best for completing repetitive, time-consuming tasks that take up valuable time nurses could be spending completing more complex and demanding tasks that can’t be replaced with technology. Some of these might include taking vital signs, disinfecting patients’ rooms, and even dispensing medications.
Testing has already begun in Japan, which is already experiencing a severe nursing shortage. 5000 institutions have begun using care robots to assist their staff, and as the robots improve in functionality, more will likely make their way into healthcare facilities.
