Attitudes towards health-care robots in a retirement village.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the attitudes and preferences of staff, residents and relatives of residents in a retirement village towards a health-care robot.


METHODS
Focus groups were conducted with residents, managers and caregivers, and questionnaires were collected from 32 residents, 30 staff and 27 relatives of residents.


RESULTS
The most popular robot tasks were detection of falls and calling for help, lifting, and monitoring location. Robot functionality was more important than appearance. Concerns included the loss of jobs and personal care, while perceived benefits included allowing staff to spend quality time with residents, and helping residents with self-care. Residents showed a more positive attitude towards robots than both staff and relatives.


CONCLUSIONS
These results provide an initial guide for the tasks and appearance appropriate for a robot to provide assistance in aged care facilities and highlight concerns.
Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. e.broadbent@auckland.ac.nz
Elizabeth
E
Broadbent
Rie
R
Tamagawa
Anna
A
Patience
Brett
B
Knock
Ngaire
N
Kerse
Karen
K
Day
Bruce A
BA
MacDonald
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D016852:Housing for the Elderly; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D057240:Patient Preference; D012179:Retirement; D012371:Robotics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted; D016526:Workload