JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Assistive robotics has been proposed to support nursing work by offloading routine and physically demanding tasks. However, existing research has largely focused on post-implementation acceptance, with limited attention to how nurses conceptualize assistive robotics before routine deployment, particularly in settings where exposure remains limited.

Objective:

This study aimed to explore inpatient nurses’ perspectives on assistive robotics and examine how anticipated benefits, concerns, and implementation considerations are constructed at a pre-implementation stage.

Methods:

A qualitative descriptive study was conducted using semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with registered nurses from four general medical wards in a public tertiary hospital in Singapore. At the time of the study, assistive robotics had not been routinely implemented, and participants’ exposure was limited to pilots, demonstrations, and indirect sources. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis. Data collection continued until thematic saturation was reached.

Results:

16 nurses (mean age 26 years) expressed cautious optimism toward assistive robotics as a means of reducing workload and physical strain, alongside persistent concerns related to professional identity, patient safety, ethical boundaries, and organizational feasibility. 4 themes were developed: (1) sentiments surrounding assistive robotics, shaped largely by imagined and indirect exposure; (2) uncertainties behind robotics integration, including fears of role displacement, loss of human touch, automation bias, and cost-effectiveness; (3) the promise of assistive robotics in nursing, framed as conditional on workflow alignment, preservation of clinical judgment, and protection of relational care; and (4) enablers for implementation and management, emphasizing phased rollout, structured training, technical support, leadership engagement, and frontline nurse involvement.

Conclusions:

In a context where assistive robotics remains emergent, nurses’ perspectives reflect anticipatory and affective engagement rather than post-adoption evaluation. These findings highlight the importance of addressing ethical, professional, and organizational considerations early and underscore the need for human-centered implementation strategies that ensure robotics augments rather than compromises nursing practice. Clinical Trial: NA