A Social Robot as a Health Educator for Heart Failure Patients Using the Teach-Back Method

Applying the teach-back method in human-robot interaction to increase health literacy, enhance self-care behaviors, and improve quality of life.

This Master's project explores how social robotics, instructional design, and healthcare education can come together to support heart failure (HF) patients. The purpose of this endeavor is to examine how a social robot acting as a healthcare educator can help patients improve their health literacy and acquire the self-care skills needed to optimize their health, improve their quality of life, and avoid unnecessary hospitalization. I used the Furhat social robot platform to design and evaluate a health educator prototype, Sheila, who teaches patients using the evidence-based teach-back strategy. This website documents the full instructional design process behind the project. I invite you to explore the project and learn more about my journey.