Enhancing interactions and participation using AI-based technology in hospitalized children

This project aims to research and develop AI-based technology (Artificial Intelligence) to help and support children suffering from long-term illness who stay in hospitals for longer treatment periods.

This type of advanced technology can give them the opportunity to interact virtually with their classmates and teachers as well as get an opportunity to be virtually included in their everyday social school context despite long hospital stays.

One of our previous pilot studies (Mårell-Olsson et al., 200326) shows that children suffering from long-term illness, such as cancer or severe heart problems, who are in hospital for long periods of treatment, often feel that they are isolated and have lost their school context. They find it difficult to keep up with the school and keep in touch with their classmates and teachers.

This affects their perceived quality of life which is very important for their recovery as well as when they return to school again.

This project thus focus on the non-medical part of children suffering long-term illness and how they can interact virtually with the support of AI-based technology with their classmates and teachers in order to increase a sense of presence and inclusion even though they are not in school but in hospital.