The role of culturally competent robots in major health disasters
Papadopoulos I., Lazzarino R.
Prompted by the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, this chapter draws evidence from research studies regarding the huge changes in the practices and methods for providing nursing, medical, and spiritual care in massively prohibitive working environments. Examples of AI and robotic devices used during the pandemic will be covered in the spirit of constructive reflection and contemplation. The reported unpreparedness for an effective, efficient, and humane response to such major health disasters and hazards will be discussed, and suggestions for the future will be given. The training needs reported by health and social care workers will be analyzed in the light of the technological challenges they are required to cope with.