Integrating the users in the design of a robot for making Comprehensive Geriatric Assessments (CGA) to elderly people in care centers

Abstract

Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) is a multidimensional and multidisciplinary diagnostic instrument that helps provide personalized care to the elderly, by evaluating their physical and mental state. In a social and economic context of growing ageing populations, medical experts can save time and effort if provided with interactive tools to efficiently assist them in doing CGAs, managing standardized tests or data collection. Recent research proposes the use of social robots as the central part of these tools. These robots must be able to unfold all functionalities that questionnaires or motion-based tests require, including natural language, face tracking and monitoring, human motion capture and so on. But another issue is the robot's acceptability and trust by the end-users, both patients (elderly people) and clinicians: the robot needs to be able to engage with the patients during the interaction sessions, and must be perceived as a useful and efficient tool by the clinicians. This paper presents the acquisition of new user requirements for CLARC, through participatory and user-centered design approach, to inform the improvement of both interface and interaction. Thirty eight persons (elderly people, caregivers and health professionals) were involved in the design process of CLARC, based on user-centered methods and techniques of Human-Computer Interaction discipline.