Implementation challenges of telerobotics in the infectious disease department in Iran: An integrated methodological approach

IF 1.7 Q2 PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health Pub Date : 2025-06-07 DOI:10.1016/j.cegh.2025.102043

Farkhondeh Asadi , Mahrokh Anvari , Nahid Ramezan Ghorbani , Azam Sabahi

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

The implementation of telerobotics in infectious departments of the hospitals causes successful management of diseases and prevention of the spread of infection. Therefore, the present study aimed to identify the challenges of implementing telerobotics in infectious departments in Iran.

Methods

The present study is applied research carried out in two phases. In the first phase, the challenges of implementing Telerobotics in infectious departments were extracted through a literature review. Then the collected data were entered into a semi-structured questionnaire.

In the second phase, data were collected by purposive sampling and semi structured interviews. A face-to-face interview was conducted with 30 medical staff working in infectious disease departments. Data analysis was conducted by conventional content analysis using MAXQDA software and descriptive using SPSS software.

Results

The key challenges in implementing telerobotics in infectious disease departments include technological issues such as inadequate equipment, infrastructure complexity, and data security; organizational barriers like the lack of support from hospital CEOs and the absence of training programs; cultural resistance due to negative past experiences with technology; strategic gaps, including insufficient legal support and incentives; and performance limitations, particularly the inability to establish direct visual contact with patients.

Conclusion

Telerobotics offers significant benefits for infectious disease departments, including improved safety and infection control. However, challenges such as technological limitations, organizational resistance, and policy gaps must be addressed to enable successful implementation. Acknowledging these challenges, policymakers can develop appropriate strategies to lay a foundation and adapt telerobotics for successful implementation on both large and local scales.

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伊朗传染病科远程机器人的实施挑战：综合方法学方法

远程机器人技术在医院感染科的应用成功地管理了疾病，预防了感染的传播。因此，本研究旨在确定在伊朗感染科实施远程机器人的挑战。方法本研究分为两个阶段进行应用研究。在第一阶段，通过文献综述提取了在感染科实施远程机器人的挑战。然后将收集到的数据输入半结构化问卷。第二阶段采用有目的抽样和半结构化访谈的方式收集数据。对30名传染病科医务人员进行了面对面访谈。采用MAXQDA软件进行常规内容分析，采用SPSS软件进行描述性分析。结果在传染病科实施远程机器人的主要挑战包括设备不足、基础设施复杂、数据安全等技术问题；组织障碍，如缺乏医院首席执行官的支持和缺乏培训计划；由于过去消极的技术经验而产生的文化阻力；战略差距，包括法律支持和激励措施不足；表现受限，尤其是无法与病人建立直接的视觉接触。结论远程机器人为传染病科提供了安全性和感染控制方面的优势。然而，必须解决诸如技术限制、组织阻力和政策差距等挑战，才能成功实现。认识到这些挑战，政策制定者可以制定适当的战略，为远程机器人在大规模和局部范围内的成功实施奠定基础和调整。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH-

CiteScore

4.60

自引率

7.70%

发文量

218

审稿时长

66 days

期刊介绍： Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health (CEGH) is a multidisciplinary journal and it is published four times (March, June, September, December) a year. The mandate of CEGH is to promote articles on clinical epidemiology with focus on developing countries in the context of global health. We also accept articles from other countries. It publishes original research work across all disciplines of medicine and allied sciences, related to clinical epidemiology and global health. The journal publishes Original articles, Review articles, Evidence Summaries, Letters to the Editor. All articles published in CEGH are peer-reviewed and published online for immediate access and citation.