Exploring perceptions toward home-care robots for older people in Finland, Ireland, and Japan: A comparative questionnaire study. (November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Suwa, Sayuri; Tsujimura, Mayuko; Kodate, Naonori; Donnelly, Sarah; Kitinoja, Helli; Hallila, Jaakko; Toivonen, Marika; Ide, Hiroo; Bergman-Kärpijoki, Camilla; Takahashi, Erika; Ishimaru, Mina; Shimamura, Atsuko; Yu, Wenwei
• Is Part Of: Archives of gerontology and geriatrics. Volume 91(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-11
• Subjects: ICT Information and Communication Technology -- ICF International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health -- HSCPs health and social care professional -- IGS Irish Gerontological Society -- JIK Joint Municipal Authority of Ilmajoki and Kurikka -- MHLW Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare; Ageing society -- Home-care robots -- International joint research -- Research & development -- Social implementation -- Self-administered questionnaire; Aging -- Periodicals; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 305.26
• DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2020.104178
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0167-4943

Abstract

Highlights: People's impression of robots is socially influenced in every country. Using personal information to monitor older people has been accepted. Self-determination has been learned but not permeated as a value in Japan. Finnish people had a more negative impression about robots than other countries. A guarantee of entitlement for human care was important in Ireland and Finland. Abstract: Purpose: To clarify potential users' perceptions toward the development and social implementation of home-care robots in Japan, Ireland, and Finland. Methods: Unsigned, self-administered questionnaires were distributed to adults aged 65 or older, family caregivers, and home-care/health and social care professionals (HSCPs). A total of 1004 responses were collected. Results: In Japan, many people were already familiar with robots in their daily lives. The most notable finding about their perspectives on home-care robots was related to safety. Moreover, 93.7 % of the Japanese respondents said, "If the user cannot decide whether to use a home-care robot, family members who know the user well should decide, " followed by 76.4 % in Ireland and 83.1 % in Finland (p < .001). In Ireland, 81.8 % of the respondents said, "I want to help other people and society by participating in the research and development of home-care robots" (Japan: 69.9 %; Finland: 67.5 %) (p = .006). In Finland, many people had a negative impression of robots compared to the other two countries. Finland had the highest percentage (75.4 %) of respondents who said, "Health care professionals should be allowed to use secondary information collected by a home-care robot" (Japan and Ireland: 64 %) (p = .024). Moreover, Ireland and Finland emphasized the need to guarantee the entitlement to receive human care. Conclusions: Devising optimal strategies for the development and social implementation of home-care robots by incorporating various perspectives while valuing human dignity will require examination of each country's characteristics with respect to history, culture, policies, and values related to robots.