What is it about?
We explore the integration of robotic technologies in hospitals, identifying 7 barriers and 7 facilitators. As most barriers are rooted in organisational aspects, we suggest that attention should be paid to the dynamics between hospital employees and the procedures and workflows of the hospitals. Researchers should also look into aspects such as users humanizing hospital robots and emerging issues of privacy and confidentiality raised by increasingly communicative robots to understand how robots can positively contribute to improving future healthcare systems.
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Photo by Quang Tri NGUYEN on Unsplash
Why is it important?
Healthcare systems experience many challenges, including the imperative to enhance accessibility, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and the quality of healthcare delivery. Current healthcare personnel shortages, prospects of future shortfalls, insufficient recruitment efforts, increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, global viral concerns, and ageing populations exacerbate these challenges. To address this escalating demand for healthcare services, healthcare systems are increasingly adopting robotic technology and artificial intelligence (AI), which promise to optimise costs, improve working conditions, and increase the quality of care.
Perspectives
In my research on the integration of digital technologies into healthcare settings, I have time and time again observed that user and organisational aspects are crucial for the successful integration of health technologies. I hope that shedding light on the factors influencing robot integration into hospital settings can help optimise healthcare delivery and contribute to the development of innovative and impactful solutions for future healthcare challenges.
Anna Schneider-Kamp
University of Southern Denmark
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: New colleague or gimmick hurdle? A user-centric scoping review of the barriers and facilitators of robots in hospitals, PLOS Digital Health, November 2024, PLOS,
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pdig.0000660.
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