SMUK Robot: Jamie Moon, works with Nursing Students in Simulation Suite Trial!

In October 2021 we received a prestigious award from Innovate UK Creative Industries fund to complete a 6-month trial in the use of a telepresence robot as an interface for delivering enhanced remote live musical interaction sessions. During March 2022 with the help of Nick Ponsillo, Director of Philip Barker Centre for Creative Learning, Simulation staff, Nursing Leads and 3rd year children’s nursing students, we were able to take our robot; Jamie Moon into the Simulation Suite at the University of Chester for 2 on-site trials during simulated student nursing training…

Jamie Moon took part in a variety of simulated training experience scenarios including playing soothing music at the bedside crib of a poorly neonate baby and providing a relaxing soundscape to the unit after a young man experienced a cardiac arrest. The presence of live music interaction via our telepresence robot, provided a valuable opportunity to develop nurses’ understanding of the benefits of using live music interaction as a therapeutic activity in hospital environments.

Trials in the simulation suite were positively received by students and staff. Students gave feedback in an evaluation questionnaire about the inclusion of the robot and music during nursing training in simulation suites and the benefit to nursing students:

‘It is good to see holistic and therapeutic aspects of nursing care in our simulations.’

‘It helps with multi-professional communication.’

The simulation suite trials concluded our trials in hospital, community and simulation suite settings as part of our 6-month Innovate UK Creative Industries funded pilot.