Yueren ZHAO

Prolonged hospitalization contributes to a decline in physical function and immobilization. This narrative review aims to explore physical rehabilitation approaches that address the specific characteristics of physical dysfunction in patients with schizophrenia. A literature review was conducted following an electronic search of PubMed for English-language articles published between January 2014 and January 2025. Based on the findings, a framework was constructed to categorize symptoms and physical challenges into three domains: (1) movement disorders and obesity induced by antipsychotic medications, which alter motor performance and lead to compensatory movements; (2) negative symptoms and cognitive impairments, which promote sedentary behavior and result in dysphagia, dynapenia, sarcopenia, and frailty; and (3) accelerated brain aging and disuse syndrome by schizophrenia, which impair neuromotor and cognitive function and increases the risk of physical dependency. These interconnected factors emphasize the need for targeted physical rehabilitation to maintain independence and reduce the risk of hospitalization. This review proposes a multidisciplinary approach involving psychiatrists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists, along with individualized nutritional support, as essential components of comprehensive rehabilitation strategies aimed at improving physical outcomes and reducing early mortality in this population.

Background/Objectives: As healthcare increasingly depends on technology, instruments to evaluate the caring competencies of healthcare professionals beyond the nursing domain have become essential. This study aimed to develop the Technological Competency as Caring in Healthcare Providers Instrument (TCCHI) for multidisciplinary use, based on Locsin's theory of Technological Competency as Caring in Nursing. Methods: The face and content validation process used a two-round modified Delphi method. Ten experts were consulted to assess the proposed 67 items. Face validity addressed the overall appropriateness and relevance of the items, while content validity involved rating their relevance using the Content Validity Index with a 9-point Likert scale over two rounds. Items with a median rating of 6–9 and an item-level Content Validity Index (I-CVI) of ≥ 0.80 were retained. Results: Among the 67 initial items, 38 were retained after two rounds of the Delphi method, with an I-CVI of 0.80–0.90, indicating strong content validity. Conclusions: The TCCHI is a comprehensive and theoretically grounded instrument applicable across healthcare disciplines. TCCHI can measure the following concepts: (1) supporting healthcare professionals’ growth, (2) building trusting relationships with patients, (3) providing person-centered care, (4) enhancing the physical and emotional comfort of patients, (5) promoting patient learning and growth, and (6) engaging in ethico-moral practice. Using this instrument, healthcare professionals can evaluate their caring competencies in technologically advanced settings. The TCCHI can also be used to create in-service training plans and evaluate their effectiveness.

<jats:p>Why would humanoid caring robots (HCRs) need consciousness? Because HCRs need to be gentle like human beings. In addition, HCRs need to be trusted by their patients, and have a shared understanding of patients' life experiences, their illnesses, and their treatments. HCRs need to express “competency as caring” to naturally convey their nursing as healing to patients and their families. HCRs should also have self-consciousness and express their emotions without needing inducement by persons' behaviors. Artificial “brains” and artificial consciousness are therefore necessary for HCRs. The purpose of this article was to explore humanoid consciousness and the possibilities of a technologically enhanced future with HCRs as participants in the care of human persons.</jats:p>

<jats:p>The purpose of this article is to frame the development of humanoid healthcare robots (HHRs) within Caring Science. Efforts to introduce robot technologies in nursing practice and to use them in elderly and high-tech healthcare environments have begun in developed countries. HHRs can be used to assist nurses with tasks or to perform care-related tasks independently. HHRs need to be programmed to demonstrate respectful, compassionate, and person-centered care. In this article we suggest Caring Science-informed approaches based on five philosophies/theories that can be used in programming the responses and communication patterns of HHRs.</jats:p>