Abstract
Background: Nursing is increasingly being enhanced by the use of assistive technologies. These technological advances include assistive robots, which have already shown positive impacts on older adults as well as formal and informal caregivers. However, a lack of end-user acceptance is considered one of the most significant barriers to the implementation and successful long-term use of robots in nursing. Therefore, a user-centered research and development approach is particularly important to ensure the use of robotics is not technology-driven, but oriented towards nursing goals and processes.
Methods: Our study presents the results of the evaluation of a service robot developed for routine tasks in inpatient care in a user-centered design. In three scenarios (information service, delivery of items, and delivery of beverages), 30 nurses tested the robot in a simulated care setting with regard to acceptance-related dimensions and the intention to use the system. In addition, the participants’ general attitudes towards robots and robotics experiences were surveyed.
Results: Generally, the robot was seen as user-friendly and useful. Skepticism towards the system was low and the accessibility was rated as moderate. Overall, a high intention to use was reported. No significant differences were identified in the assessment of the robot between participants with and without robotics experience. However, dependency analyses showed various strongly significant correlations. Usability, perceived usefulness, and accessibility as well as a personal positive attitude towards robots all correlated positively with the intention to use. Skepticism towards the system correlated negatively.
Conclusion: In our study, a high level of acceptance was measured for the developed service robot within the selected application scenarios. In line with the current state of research, our results suggest that the target group-specific communication of robot capabilities and limitations as well as opportunities for personal experience are particularly important aspects for promoting the intention to use and acceptance of robotic systems. Strategies for the transfer of knowledge and skills as well as financing concepts are urgently needed so that the nursing sector can become more widely aware of and benefit from the potential of robotics.