Wouter M. Tiel Groenestege

Heidelberg University, University Medical Center Utrecht

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Wouter M. Tiel Groenestege is a researcher focused on the intersection of pediatric healthcare and human-robot interaction, with a primary emphasis on using social robots to alleviate pain and anxiety in young patients during medical procedures. His major contributions center on the development and evaluation of distraction techniques employing robots like Softbank Robotics’ NAO to improve the experience of children undergoing venipuncture or capillary blood sampling. His most-cited work, “Mitigating Children’s Pain and Anxiety during Blood Draw Using Social Robots” (2021), has garnered 31 citations and demonstrates how social robots can reduce distress in pediatric patients, leading to shorter treatment times and lower workloads for healthcare professionals. A follow-up study in 2024, with 3 citations, further explores the robot’s effectiveness in engaging children aged 4-12 through behavioral interventions. Tiel Groenestege’s research is notable for its practical application in clinical settings, offering a non-pharmacological, scalable solution to a common challenge in pediatric care. His work has the potential to transform standard practices, making medical visits less traumatic for children and their families.