Acceptance of service and care robots from the nursing perspective

Abstract

To counteract the nursing shortage in Germany, approaches other than more nursing and junior staff are needed. One possibility is the use of service and care robots. These can be used, among other things, to assist with physically difficult work, to reduce walking distances, to carry out logistical tasks and to care for patients. The use of these robots requires the willingness of both the patients and the nursing staff. This contribution addresses the extent to which nursing and service robots are accepted and desired from the point of view of nursing staff. Therefore, 34 nursing staff members of a rehabilitation clinic provided information about their current willingness to accept five presented service and nursing robots. The results showed that the service robots, which take over walking and logistical tasks, find almost unrestricted acceptance. However, in the case of social care robots, with direct, immediate contact with and to the patient, there are definitely moral and ethical concerns. Nevertheless, the use of these robots is also advocated by most nursing staff, as the potential for use is very high. Education, training and practical measures increase acceptance and can also ideally dispel ethical and moral concerns. For the future, a broader use of nursing and service robots could contribute to reducing physical strain and routine tasks and thus make the nursing profession as a whole more attractive.