Abstract
This article from the journal Gruppe. Interaktion. Organisation. (GIO) offers an in-depth analysis and discussion of the results of an inter-professional project on behalf of TA-SWISS (Foundation for Technology Assessment). The project investigated how social robots could be used in the future in Switzerland from the perspective of health professionals and elderly residents and what opportunities and risks they see in this use. The background of this question was that social robots are increasingly used in the healthcare sector while the perspectives of potential users are hardly known. Therefore, an exploratory study design was used to conduct a workshop (“Round Table Health”) with 26 participants in August 2020, which included robot scenarios, four focus group interviews and a follow-up survey. The in-depth analysis showed that the possible uses of social robots mentioned by the participants could not only be divided into two user groups (“patients” and “health professionals”) but also into two roles of the social robot (personally assigned—“personal buddy/assistant” and not personally assigned—“helpful colleague”). The opportunities and risks of social robots could be categorised into the three areas of tension, i.e. “self-determination vs. social isolation”, “relief vs. burden & dependence” and “safety vs. dangers”. In conclusion, potential users see a wide range of possible uses and opportunities for social robots in the health sector, yet it is important to consider and minimise the risks so that social robots can be successfully used in practice in the future.