Implementing ethical aspects in the development of a robotic system for nursing care: a qualitative approach
This qualitative study investigates the ethical risks and requirements associated with developing a robotic system for nursing care using a three-step procedure guided by the British Standard BS 8611. Focus groups with professional nurses and individual interviews with patients and relatives revealed concerns around human dignity, autonomy, personal privacy, relationship quality, safety, and organizational matters such as staffing ratios. The findings emphasize the importance of incorporating multiple perspectives and engaging potential end-users early in the development of healthcare robotics.
Summary and content fields are drawn from the document text and are pending editorial review.
Who issued it
Who it governs
Researchers, developers, and healthcare professionals interested in the ethical design and user-centered development of healthcare robotics.
What the document contains
The document covers the identification of ethical risks and formulation of mitigating requirements for a nursing care robot using focus groups, interviews, and the BS 8611 standard. It addresses user perceptions across categories such as human dignity, patient autonomy, privacy, interpersonal relationships, and physical safety.
The study does not provide a quantitative evaluation or a complete prototype test, as the robotic system is still in an early explorative research phase.
- Professional nurses, patients, and relatives identified ethical risks regarding dignity, autonomy, privacy, human relationships, and safety in nursing robotics.
- Nurses expressed primary concerns regarding safety and the potential for robots to increase workload instead of providing relief.
- Patients and relatives frequently raised concerns about staffing ratios and whether robots would replace human caregivers.
- The British Standard BS 8611 served as a useful guiding framework for implementing Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) principles early in development.
- Despite identifying various risks, participants also showed general open-mindedness and optimism toward future robotic assistance in care.
· Abstract · Background · Method · Results · Discussion · Conclusions
How it scores
Each score is backed by a quote verified against the document text. Editorial review has not yet confirmed them.
Enforcement
0/5Consequences and compliance mechanisms with real force
Results
screening score · 2026-10-24
Impact Assessment
4/5Required assessment of an AI system's risks/impacts before or during use
Guided by the BS 8611 and modified for our purposes, a three-steps procedure was followed: 1. Identification of ethical risks in the context of the robot.
Procedure
screening score · 2026-10-24