本集內容

Healthcare robots 英國科學家研發醫療機器人

學習要點

有關 “helping（幫忙）” 的詞匯

邊看邊答

What has been reduced by using robots to do heavy manual work?

文字稿

Physiotherapy – robot style. Could this be the long-term future of some NHS [National Health Service] care?

這是機器人提供的物理治療。這會不會是在長遠的未來，英國國民醫療服務體系（NHS）提供部分服務的方式？

Here at Southmead Hospital in Bristol, they’re experimenting with a robot programmed to interact with patients for simple forms of physio. Another possible use might be basic bedside checks.

布里斯托爾的索斯米德醫院正在試驗一種機器人，它可以按照預設的程序與病人進行簡單的理療互動。它的另一個潛在用途是進行基本的床邊檢查。

Robot
Remember not to take your medication on an empty stomach.

機器人
“記住，不要空腹吃藥。”

Use for real is still some way off, but hospital leaders think this could help ease workforce pressure.

雖然距離真正投入使用，還有待時日，但醫院領導們認為這有助于緩解人手緊缺的壓力。

Dr Tim Whittlestone, Deputy Medical Director, Southmead Hospital
Everyone understands that people want more out of healthcare as they live longer. We have not enough workforce to deliver those demands, and of course, robotics and technology can be taught to do mundane, repeat menial tasks.

蒂姆·惠特斯頓醫生       索斯米德醫院副醫療主管
“每個人都明白，隨著人們壽命的增長，他們對醫療保健的需求會增多。我們沒有足夠的人手來滿足這些需求，當然，我們可以利用機器人和科技來執行瑣碎而繁復的粗活。”

The hospital is working with the Bristol Robotics Laboratory, looking at future care of patients in their own homes. This device can be controlled remotely to help with basic household tasks.

這家醫院正在和布里斯托爾機器人實驗室合作，研究未來如何能讓患者在自家接受護理。這個設備可以被遠程控制，幫人做基本的家務活。

Technology can clearly help those who need assistance at home, but might people feel they lose out from lack of human contact?

科技顯然可以為那些在家中需要幫忙的人助一臂之力，但人們會不會因此覺得失去了人際交流能帶來的益處？

Professor Praminda Caleb-Solly, Bristol Robotics Laboratory
In no way are we looking to replace people, because I myself wouldn’t want that. So, I wouldn’t want to think about that as a possibility for anyone else. The idea here is to augment and improve the care provision and the quality of care that can be provided.

普拉敏達·凱勒布·索利教授       布里斯托爾機器人實驗室
“我們絕不是想讓機器人替代人類，因為我自己不想這樣。所以，我不想讓這種情況在其他人身上成為可能。我們開發機器人是為了增強并改善護理服務和質量。”

And away from patients, there’s automation. Robotic portering delivers most supplies around the hospital, including to operating theatres and meals for the wards. They even have their own lifts. Because they do the heavy manual work, staff injuries have been reduced.

在沒有病人的地方，也有自動化技術的身影。機器人搬運工在醫院運送大部分的物資，包括手術室物資和病房膳食。它們甚至有專用電梯。因為有機器人做重活兒，員工受傷情況得以減少。

Robot technology is also at work in the hospital pharmacy. Orders for medicines are processed rapidly and made ready for clinical teams. Pharmacists say it improves patient safety by eliminating human error.

機器人技術在醫院藥房中也大顯身手。機器設備能夠迅速處理收到的藥單，把藥物準備好給臨床團隊。藥劑師們表示，這項技術消除了人為錯誤，從而使病人更安全。

Hugh Pym, BBC Health Editor
Whether they’re moving supplies around hospitals or having direct contact with patients, robotic devices are thought to offer, potentially, major long-term benefits to the NHS. But there are big questions over what that will mean for patients’ experiences and the impact on staff.

休·皮姆       BBC衛生事務編輯
“不論是在醫院運送物資，還是直接與病人接觸，機器人設備都被認為有可能給國民醫療服務體系帶來巨大的長遠好處。但這對病人的感受和對員工有多大的影響，還存在很大的疑問。”

Helen Stokes Lampard, Chair, Academy of Medical Royal Colleges
I’m excited about the increased use of technology in care homes, but also throughout the NHS. There’s tremendous potential there. But of course, as a scientist, I want to see the evidence too. I want to make sure that things are safe, that they are effective, and there are no unexpected side effects or consequences.

海倫·斯托克斯·蘭帕德       皇家醫學院院長
“我很高興見到養老院以及整個國民醫療服務體系越來越多地使用科技。這里有巨大的潛力。當然，作為一名科學家，我也想看到技術發揮作用的證據。我想確保一切都是安全有效的，而且沒有意想不到的副作用或后果。”

They won’t necessarily offer cups of tea or even look like this. But the fact that hospital leaders are working with engineers on robotics, shows there is a radical vision for post-pandemic health and care.

機器人不一定會幫你泡茶，也不一定長成這樣。但醫院領導與機器人工程師合作的事實表明，人們對新冠疫情后的醫療保健抱有重大愿景。

詞匯

menial tasks 枯燥乏味的工作

assistance 幫助

augment 增強，提高

portering 搬運

made ready 準備完畢

問題答案

Because robots can do the heavy manual work, staff injuries have been reduced.