A Robotic Medical Clown (RMC): Forming a Design Space Model

TL;DR

This paper explores designing a Robotic Medical Clown (RMC) to address the shortage of human medical clowns, using mixed methods to develop a model based on stakeholder perceptions and preferences.

Contribution

It introduces a novel design space model for RMCs based on comprehensive elicitation methods involving children, teenagers, and medical clowns.

Findings

RMCs are acceptable to children, teenagers, and medical clowns.

Appearance influences perception of the RMC's character and role.

The study provides a foundation for future hospital interaction research.

Abstract

Medical clowns help hospitalized children in reducing pain and anxiety symptoms and increase the level of satisfaction in children's wards. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of medical clowns around the world. Furthermore, isolated children can not enjoy this service. This study explored the concept of a Robotic Medical Clown (RMC) and its role. We used mixed methods of elicitation to create a design space model for future robotic medical clowns. We investigated the needs, perceptions, and preferences of children and teenagers using four methods: interviewing medical clowns to learn how they perceive their role and the potential role of an RMC, conducting focus groups with teenagers, a one-on-one experience of children with a robot, and an online questionnaire. The concept of RMCs was acceptable to children, teenagers, and medical clowns. We found that the RMC's appearance affects the perception of its characters and role. Future work should investigate the interaction in hospitals.