Authors (including presenting author) :
FANG LY
Affiliation :
Lai King Building, Princess Margaret Hospital
Keyword 1: :
Rehabilitation Technology
Keyword 2: :
Patient-Centered Communication
Keyword 3: :
Rehabilitation Engagement
Keyword 4: :
Patient Experience
Introduction :
Lai King Building (LKB) is an extended care unit of Princess Margaret Hospital that applies everyday technology to build a more engaging and reassuring rehabilitation environment. Patients in rehabilitation wards often feel uncertain about daily routines or disconnected in busy settings. To address this, a mobile assistant robot was introduced to provide audio reminders and relaxing music, while bedside electronic panels display each patient’s preferred name. These tools complement human interaction by delivering clear, consistent information that strengthens communication and supports a predictable, patient centered recovery journey.
Objectives :
1.Support warm, consistent communication through robotic broadcasts and bedside panels. 2.Enhance patient engagement with clear reminders and accessible schedules. 3.Foster a personalized and reassuring ward atmosphere using preferred names and daily cues.
Methodology :
A mobile assistant robot (“仁哥”) delivers scheduled, bilingual (Cantonese–English) audio reminders covering key daily activities such as rehabilitation sessions, meals, rest periods, and visiting hours. It also plays soft background music during rest periods to foster a calming and therapeutic atmosphere. A visible QR code on the robot provides convenient digital access to the daily schedule for patients and relatives. Upon transfer in, patients are invited to share their preferred name or nickname (e.g., “芳姨”), which appears on the bedside electronic panel instead of impersonal labels such as “5號床” or generic terms like “阿伯” or “阿婆.” This personalization enhances identity recognition, encourages polite, familiar communication, and strengthens rapport between patients and staff. Both technologies were configured to run automatically within existing workflows without altering clinical processes. By consistently delivering schedule information and personalized cues, they reduced repetitive enquiries, streamlined daily communication, and enabled staff to focus on direct patient care and rehabilitation.
Result & Outcome :
Initial feedback was gathered through satisfaction surveys with 32 patients and 32 staff members using a 5-point Likert scale (1 = Strongly disagree to 5 = Strongly agree). 1. Patient Feedback All patients (100%) reported a clear understanding of their daily schedule, and most indicated that the mobile assistant robot’s broadcasts and music helped create a more structured and relaxing ward atmosphere. A large majority (96.9%) valued the personalized name display on the E-bedpanel, reporting it fostered respect and contributed to a more organized and comfortable inpatient experience. 71.9% of patients found the soft music played by the robot relaxing, providing effective non-pharmacological support to reduce anxiety and enhance the therapeutic ward atmosphere. 2. Staff Feedback All staff (100%) reported good patient acceptance of the technologies and found the personalized name display helpful for strengthening communication with patients. Most staff (96.9%) felt the initiative enhanced the ward’s warm, humanized atmosphere, and 78.1% agreed that the automated broadcasts reduced the burden of repeatedly explaining daily routines, allowing more time for direct patient care and rehabilitation activities.
