TecnoCampus Foundation
eCampus
University Business
eCampus

What are you looking for?

General information

Subject type: Optional

Coordinator: Carolina Chabrera Sanz

Trimester: First term

Credits: 4

Teaching staff: 

Nelson Domingos Rodrigues Machado

Academic year: 2025

Teaching course: 3

Languages ​​of instruction

  • English

Competencies / Learning Outcomes

Basic skills

  • CB4_That students can convey information, ideas, problems and solutions to an audience, both specialized and non-specialized

  • CB2_That students know how to apply their knowledge to their job or vocation in a professional way and have the skills that need to be demonstrated through the elaboration and defense of arguments and the resolution of problems within their area of ​​study

Specific skills

  • CE6_Apply health care information and communication technologies and systems

General competencies

  • CG4_Understand the interactive behavior of the person according to gender, group or community, within their social and multicultural context

  • CG6_Basing nursing interventions on scientific evidence and available media

  • CG19_Enjoy autonomy and critical ability to use ICT

Transversal competences

  • CT 1 Develop the ability to assess inequalities based on sex and gender, to design solutions

Presentation of the subject

The healthcare system is undergoing one of the greatest transformations in its history. The lack of healthcare personnel, the low budget, the threat of climate change, future pandemics, loneliness, as well as the aging population are forcing us to rethink all the paradigms we have known so far.

Furthermore, we are faced with an increasingly demanding society, and evidence that points us towards personalized treatment and care. There is no doubt that care needs the human touch.

However, when humans walk hand in hand with technology, the possibilities are endless. Robots have long been introduced into different areas of life, and health is no exception. Rehabilitation and mobility, surgery, telecare, pharmacology, disinfection, or radiotherapy, among others, represent areas where robots can be found carrying out tasks today.

In addition, robots represent an opportunity to advance and meet the United Nations' sustainable development goals. However, in the midst of all these changes, ethical implications arise that we must not forget. This subject aims to foster critical and innovative thinking in students, who investigate, reflect and identify the possibilities of robotics around health and their limitations.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in this subject is regulated in the Learning Plan. It should be consulted to find out the specific conditions of use. 

The classroom (physical or virtual) is a safe space, free from sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic and discriminatory attitudes, whether towards students or teachers. We trust that together we can create a safe space where we can make mistakes and learn without having to suffer prejudice from others.

Contents

1. Past, present and future of society and the health system

2. The intersection of technology and health

3. Robots and paradigm shifts

4. Types of robots

5. Advantages and disadvantages of robots in health and care

6. Ethical aspects of the use of robots

7. Future of robots in healthcare

Activities and evaluation system

The system for evaluating the skills and learning outcomes of this subject includes different evaluation activities for Subject 8 - Optionality:

Evaluation system Minimum weighting Maximum weighting
SE1. Exam 20% 60%
SE2. Individual works 5% 40%
SE3. Teamwork 5% 40%
SE4. Classroom participation 5% 40%
SE5. Seminars 5% 40%

A quantitative (0 to 10) and qualitative grading system (fail, pass, outstanding, excellent, honors) is used according to RD 1125/2003. According to UPF regulations, students who have the option of retaking the subject are those who have obtained a "fail" grade, which are the only ones that can be modified in the retake process. The evaluation system and the retake period are detailed in the Learning Plan available in the virtual classroom at the beginning of the subject.

Any form of academic fraud will be sanctioned in accordance with the center's assessment regulations. If signs of fraud are detected, including the improper use of generative artificial intelligence tools, the subject's teaching staff may call the student for an individual interview with the aim of verifying their authorship.

 

Bibliography

Basic

Maibaum, A., Bischof, A., Hergesell, J. et al. A critique of robotics in health care. AI & Soc 37, 467–477 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-021-01206-z

Morgan, AA, Abdi, J., Syed, MAQ, Kohen, GE, Barlow, P., & Vizcaychipi, MP (2022). Robots in Healthcare: A Scoping Review. Current robotics reports, 3(4), 271–280. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43154-022-00095-4

Silvera-Tawil, D. Robotics in Healthcare: A Survey. SN COMPUTER SCI. 5, 189 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42979-023-02551-0

Stahl, BC, & Coeckelbergh, M. (2016). Ethics of healthcare robotics: Towards responsible research and innovation. Robotics and Autonomous Systems, 86, 152–161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.robot.2016.08.018.