Health professionals' perspectives on the implementation of social robots interventions for dementia care in France:...

Psychosocial interventions using social robots aim to enhance the quality of life of older adults, particularly those with dementia. While much research has focused on robot-user interactions, fewer studies have explored how health professionals perceive and use social robots in geriatric care settings.

This study investigates the perspectives of health professionals on the implementation and integration of social robot interventions (SRIs) in dementia care institutions in France. It aims to identify their perceptions of social robots, perceived benefits, and the organizational and ethical issues associated with their use.

This qualitative study involved 21 interviews and focus groups with 36 professionals from 13 geriatric institutions. A semi-structured interview guide was used to explore how social robots were introduced, how teams adapted, and what benefits and challenges were reported. The guide was informed by the European health technology assessment approach (HTA Core Model), which encourages analysis across multiple dimensions, including clinical relevance, organizational impact, and ethical considerations. Data were analyzed using thematic synthesis.

Participants described robots being used for emotional support, cognitive stimulation, and recreational activities that encouraged social interaction and improved mood. While robots did not replace core caregiving goals, they offered new ways to engage residents and prompted reflection on professional practices and relationships with residents. Reported benefits included increased resident attention and emotional engagement, opportunities for personalized activities, and renewed motivation among staff. Organizational challenges included limited training, time constraints, and unclear strategies for integrating robots into existing routines. Ethical concerns centered on respecting resident autonomy and consent and avoiding activities that might be perceived as infantilizing.

Social robots hold promise as complementary tools in dementia care. Their successful integration depends on technical feasibility, ethical considerations, institutional support, and sustainable implementation strategies rooted in the principles of person-centered care.