Purpose: Treatment of pediatric cancers and hematological malignancies requires long periods of isolation in a sterile room. To promote family connections, telepresence robots have been made available in the homes of hospitalized patients. Our aim was to evaluate the perceived benefits and difficulties encountered by users and their families in terms of family dynamics. We also evaluated the presence of the robot on the medical caregivers' therapeutic relationship and organization of daily care. Methods: An observational study was undertaken with semistructured face-to-face interviews of 17 patients (aged 7 to 25 years) and their parents conducted by a psychologist on day +15 after provision of the robot and then after the patients had gone home, as well as face-to-face interviews of 15 caregivers by a philosopher before the robots were made available and at day +21. Results: One of the main perceived benefits expressed by the patients was maintenance of a connection with their siblings and retention of their role in the family. For parents, the device provided reassurance of being able to stay in touch with their child. The nursing staff indicated that the devices allowed them to develop more than a professional relationship with the child and to interact with their extended family. Limitations of the virtual nature of the nursing staff/family relationship were also noted, such as potential frustration for patients when they witness things that they cannot access and a degree of concern for the parents during periods of disconnection. Conclusions: This study revealed an overall perceived benefit for patients, their families, and caregivers. It also highlighted relevant issues and it provides guidelines for broader application of such devices.
Keywords: caregiver relationship; ethics; family interaction; isolation; psychology.