Positive Turn in Elder-Care Workers' Views Toward Telecare Robots.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Robotics
• Sociology

Background:

• Robots are increasingly used in elder care.
• Previous studies indicated potential conflicts between care robots and workers' values.
• This study examines changes in care workers' perceptions over time.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the longitudinal changes in Finnish elder-care workers' views on telecare robots.
• To identify factors influencing these changes, including value compatibility, social norms, and COVID-19 stress.
• To understand the relationship between personal values and the acceptance of robots in care work.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal survey data from 190 Finnish elder-care workers (2016 and 2020).
• Phase 1: Longitudinal analysis of changes in views on telecare robots.
• Phase 2: Cross-sectional analysis of factors influencing personal values and robot acceptance.

Main Results:

• Care workers' positive views towards telecare robots increased from 2016 to 2020.
• Higher perceived value compatibility of robots positively influenced these changing views.
• Social norms, technological unemployment threat, and COVID-19 stress were associated with value compatibility.

Conclusions:

• For successful robot integration in elder care, robots must align with core ethical standards like respect and compassion.
• Personal values are crucial predictors for care workers' acceptance of robots in their tasks.
• Ensuring robots support, rather than conflict with, ethical care practices is key for adoption.