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Sørensen L, Johannesen DT, Melkas H, Johnsen HM. Care-receivers with physical disabilities' perceptions on having humanoid assistive robots as assistants: a qualitative study. BMC Health Serv Res 2024; 24:523. [PMID: 38664810 PMCID: PMC11044328 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-10857-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND People with physical disabilities due to disease or injury face barriers to their daily activities and participation in society. Many depend on formal or informal caregivers for assistance to live independently. However, future healthcare challenges due to demographic changes threaten access to home care and assistants. Assistive technologies, such as robots for physical assistance, can support the independence and autonomy of people with physical disabilities. This study explore Norwegian care-receivers' perceptions of using robot assistance in their homes, including preferences for tasks acceptable or unacceptable for robot assistance and the underlying reasons. METHOD Purposive sampling was employed to recruit 18 participants, aged between 18 and 77 years, with differences in physical function including diagnoses such as stroke, spinal cord injury, amputations, and muscular dystrophy. Qualitative data were gathered through four focus group interviews wherein participants watched videos featuring a humanoid assistive robot, EVEr3. The collected data underwent analysis using reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS Three themes with associated sub-themes were constructed: (a) How a robot could assist in daily life, (b) The robot's appearance and functionality, and (c) Concerns about having a robot as an assistant. The participants welcomed the idea of a future robotic assistant in areas that may contribute to an increased feeling of independence and autonomy. CONCLUSION A robot assisting in activities of daily living would need to be individually customized to meet the needs of each user in terms of which tasks to assist with, how to assist in these defined tasks, and how it is controlled.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Helinä Melkas
- Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology LUT, Lappeenranta, Finland
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Saurio R, Pekkarinen S, Melkas H. User Experiences on the Implementation of Exoskeletons in Care Work. Stud Health Technol Inform 2023; 305:533-536. [PMID: 37387085 DOI: 10.3233/shti230551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
This article describes the results of a field test of an exoskeleton in care work. Qualitative data about the implementation and use of exoskeletons, with the help of interviews and user diaries, were collected both from nurses who used the exoskeleton and managers at different levels of the care organization. On the basis of these data, there are relatively few obstacles in and many opportunities for the implementation of exoskeletons in care work, taken that the introduction, orientation and continuous support for technology use are given enough weight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riika Saurio
- Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology LUT, School of Engineering Science, Lahti, Finland
- Ostrobothnia Wellbeing Services County, Finnish Centre for Client and Patient Safety, Vaasa, Finland
| | - Satu Pekkarinen
- Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology LUT, School of Engineering Science, Lahti, Finland
| | - Helinä Melkas
- Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology LUT, School of Engineering Science, Lahti, Finland
- University of Agder, Centre for E-health, Kristiansand, Norway
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Hoppe JA, Tuisku O, Johansson-Pajala RM, Pekkarinen S, Hennala L, Gustafsson C, Melkas H, Thommes K. When do individuals choose care robots over a human caregiver? Insights from a laboratory experiment on choices under uncertainty. Computers in Human Behavior Reports 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chbr.2022.100258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
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Tuisku O, Pekkarinen S, Hennala L, Melkas H. Decision-makers’ attitudes toward the use of care robots in welfare services. AI & Soc 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s00146-022-01392-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe purpose of this study was to investigate the attitudes of decision-makers toward the use of care robots in welfare services. We investigated their knowledge regarding the use of care robots in welfare services as well as their attitudes toward using robots in their own care and in the care of various user groups, for example, children, youths, and older people. We conducted an online survey with a range of Finnish decision-makers as respondents (N = 176). The respondents were divided into two groups: service actors (n = 104) and research and development (R&D) actors (n = 72). The respondents did not regard themselves as having much knowledge about robotics; however, the results showed that the R&D actors had more overall knowledge of the use of robots than the service actors. The R&D actors were found to be more willing to accept a robot as part of their own care as well as part of the care for various user groups. The contribution of this study is a better understanding of the views of the decision-makers who are or will be in charge of the acquisition of technological devices in welfare services.
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Abstract
PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine and reinterpret information ecology in the context of the changing environment of services, which has been strongly affected by digitalisation and increasing citizen engagement. Here, information ecology refers to the interaction and co-evolution of technologies, human beings and the social environment.Design/methodology/approachThe data consist of 25 thematic interviews conducted in a public Finnish organisation responsible for organising welfare services, and in its collaborating organisations. The interviews were analysed qualitatively. The analytical framework is based on Nardi and O'Day's five components of information ecology: system, diversity, co-evolution, keystone species and locality.FindingsThe analysis shows that these basic components still exist in the digitalisation era, but that they should be interpreted and highlighted differently, for example, stressing the openness of the information system instead of closed systems, as well as emphasising the increasing meaning of diversity amongst digitalisation, and the dynamic co-evolution between the elements of the system. New capabilities, such as the ability to combine various kinds of information and knowledge, are needed in this adaptation.Research limitations/implicationsThe study illustrates a wider, updated information-ecology concept with the help of empirical research. Technology affects care organisations' information ecologies in numerous – often invisible – ways, which this study brings into light.Originality/valueSo far, information-ecology research has overlooked social and healthcare, but this study provides findings concerning this societally important sector.
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Pirhonen J, Tiilikainen E, Pekkarinen S, Lemivaara M, Melkas H. Can robots tackle late-life loneliness? Scanning of future opportunities and challenges in assisted living facilities. Futures 2020; 124:102640. [PMID: 33041358 PMCID: PMC7534874 DOI: 10.1016/j.futures.2020.102640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 09/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
This future-oriented study examines the opportunities and challenges offered by social robots and communication technology when aiming to decrease emotional and social loneliness in older people residing in assisted living (AL). The paper draws on prior literature on loneliness, elder care and social robots. The aim is to scan the futures regarding technology support for the frail older people in future AL. The analytical frame was built on Robert Weiss' division of relational functions: attachment, social integration, opportunity for nurturance, reassurance of worth, sense of reliable alliance, and guidance in stressful situations, and on a distinction between direct and indirect social robots. Our examinations show that social robots could tackle both emotional and social loneliness in assisted living by empowering people to engage in different forms of social interaction inside and outside the facility. However, ethical concerns of objectification, lack of human contact, and deception need to be thoroughly considered when implementing social robots in care for frail older people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jari Pirhonen
- Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 4, 00014, Finland
| | - Elisa Tiilikainen
- Department of Social Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Satu Pekkarinen
- School of Engineering Science, Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology LUT, Mukkulankatu 19, 15210 Lahti, Finland
| | - Marjut Lemivaara
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, P.O. Box 100, 33014, Finland
| | - Helinä Melkas
- School of Engineering Science, Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology LUT, Mukkulankatu 19, 15210 Lahti, Finland
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Turja T, Saurio R, Katila J, Hennala L, Pekkarinen S, Melkas H. Intention to Use Exoskeletons in Geriatric Care Work: Need for Ergonomic and Social Design. Ergonomics in Design 2020. [DOI: 10.1177/1064804620961577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In this research, we investigate user experiences with the Laevo exoskeletons in geriatric work. We introduce two studies where Finnish nurses used exoskeletons and identify the requirements and potential restrictions for using exoskeletons in care context. Our results show that nurses’ intentions to use the exoskeletons were mostly associated with perceived usefulness, ergonomics, and enjoyment of use. Also, social environment issues, such as other people’s reactions, are important considerations. Exoskeleton use has varying requirements depending on where it will be implemented. Thus, the end users’ ideas for the design are crucial in enabling exoskeleton use in different sectors of work.
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Melkas H, Hennala L, Pekkarinen S, Kyrki V. Impacts of robot implementation on care personnel and clients in elderly-care institutions. Int J Med Inform 2020; 134:104041. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2019.104041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Revised: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Johansson-Pajala RM, Thommes K, Hoppe JA, Tuisku O, Hennala L, Pekkarinen S, Melkas H, Gustafsson C. Care Robot Orientation: What, Who and How? Potential Users’ Perceptions. Int J Soc Robot 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s12369-020-00619-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
AbstractExploring the specific field of care robot orientation generates many questions regarding the meaning, content and how it should be conducted. The issue is important due to the general digitalisation and implementation of welfare technology and care robots. The aim of the study was to explore perceptions of care robot orientation from the potential users’ perspective. Data were collected by focus group interviews in Finland, Germany and Sweden. In all three countries, potential user groups were represented: older adults, relatives, professional caregivers and care service managers. A qualitative descriptive method was used for analysing data. The data revealed three aspects of care robot orientation: (1) What care robot orientation is, (2) Who needs it and by Whom it should be given and (3) How it should be performed. The need for care robot orientation is general in society. In the absence of knowledge about care robots, it is nearly impossible to know what to ask for or actually seek information about. Therefore, care robot orientation must be founded on agile implementation planning for care robots, with a firm basis in trustworthy knowledge and information and respecting individuals’ wishes. This also gives rise to an ethical challenge when care robots are offered to people having reduced decision-making ability (dementia, cognitive impairment), along with the issue of who then should make the decision. The mapping of the What, Who/Whom and How aspects of care robot orientation offers a foundation for the creation of orientation models, which might facilitate structured and goal-oriented care robot orientation strategies.
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Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the publicity around the implementation of the Zora robot in elderly-care services in Lahti, Finland. The aim is to discover opinions concerning the use of robots in elderly care as well as the arguments and justifications behind those opinions. Zora is a humanoid robot intended to promote mobility and rehabilitation. The Lahti pilot was the first Zora pilot in Finland in public elderly-care services. It received much publicity, both regionally and nationally.
Design/methodology/approach
This study is based on an empirical case study on the implementation of the Zora robot in elderly-care services. The data consist of interviews with personnel who operated Zora and comments from the general public about the “Zora” robot. Two data sources were used: 107 comments were collected from online and print media, and the personnel (n=39) who worked with Zora were interviewed. The data were analysed by means of interpretative content analysis.
Findings
The results show that public opinion is mainly negative, but that the commentators apparently have little information about the robot and its tasks. The personnel had more positive views; they saw it as a recreational tool, not as a replacement for their own roles.
Originality/value
There is clearly a need for more information, for a better informed discussion on how robots can be used in elderly care and how to involve the general public in this discussion in a constructive way.
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Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to expand current knowledge about the recent trend of wearable technology to assess both its potential in the work environment and the challenges concerning the utilisation of wearables in the workplace.
Design/methodology/approach
After establishing exclusion and inclusion criteria, an independent systematic search of the ACM Digital Library, IEEE Xplore, ScienceDirect and Web of Science databases for relevant studies was performed. Out of a total of 359 articles, 34 met the selection criteria.
Findings
This review identifies 23 categories of wearable devices. Further categorisation of the devices based on their utilisation shows they can be used in the work environment for activities including monitoring, augmenting, assisting, delivering and tracking. The review reveals that wearable technology has the potential to increase work efficiency among employees, improve workers’ physical well-being and reduce work-related injuries. However, the review also reveals that technological, social, policy and economic challenges related to the use of wearable devices remain.
Research limitations/implications
Many studies have investigated the benefits of wearable devices for personal use, but information about the use of wearables in the work environment is limited. Further research is required in the fields of technology, social challenges, organisation strategies, policies and economics to enhance the adoption rate of wearable devices in work environments.
Originality/value
Previous studies indicate that occupational stress and injuries are detrimental to employees’ health; this paper analyses the use of wearable devices as an intervention method to monitor or prevent these problems. Introducing a categorisation framework during implementation may help identify which types of device categories are suitable and could be beneficial for specific utilisation purposes, facilitating the adoption of wearable devices in the workplace.
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Hajikhani A, Porras J, Melkas H. Brand Analysis in Social Network Services: Results from Content Analysis in Twitter Regarding the US Smartphone Market. Int J Innovation Technol Management 2017. [DOI: 10.1142/s0219877017400089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Marketing is the front-end strategy of firms to communicate the value of their products or services to customers; therefore, innovations in marketing have tremendous value in comparison to the whole innovation strategy of firms. The emergence of social network services (SNSs) as a dominant communication platform among firms and users provides an opportunity to evaluate the innovativeness of a firm’s marketing strategy. With an analysis of Twitter data, the study indicates how users react to content from different profile types. This result could inspire firms and the social media strategists of companies to diversify their content over multiple user profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arash Hajikhani
- School of Business and Management, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Skinnarilankatu 34, FI-53851 Lappeenranta, Finland
| | - Jari Porras
- School of Business and Management, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Skinnarilankatu 34, FI-53851 Lappeenranta, Finland
| | - Helinä Melkas
- School of Business and Management, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Skinnarilankatu 34, FI-53851 Lappeenranta, Finland
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Konsti-Laakso S, Koskela V, Martikainen SJ, Melkas H, Mellanen L. Participatory design of a social enterprise for rehabilitees. Work 2016; 55:145-153. [DOI: 10.3233/wor-162383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Hennala
- School of Business and Management, LUT Lahti; Lappeenranta University of Technology; Lahti Finland
| | - Helinä Melkas
- School of Business and Management, LUT Lahti; Lappeenranta University of Technology; Lahti Finland
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Mäkimattila M, Melkas H, Uotila T. Dynamics of Openness in Innovation Processes-A Case Study in the Finnish Food Industry. Know Process Mgmt 2013. [DOI: 10.1002/kpm.1421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Martti Mäkimattila
- Lappeenranta University of Technology; Lahti School of Innovation; Lahti Finland
| | - Helinä Melkas
- Lappeenranta University of Technology; Lahti School of Innovation; Lahti Finland
| | - Tuomo Uotila
- Lappeenranta University of Technology; Lahti School of Innovation; Lahti Finland
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Affiliation(s)
- Helinä Melkas
- Lappeenranta University of Technology, Lahti School of Innovation, Saimaankatu 11, 15140 Lahti, Finland. Tel.: +358 40 588 1400; E-mail:
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE This article explores the use of information and communication technologies including safety alarm technologies and their impacts on elderly-care organizations' informational ecology, or internal information environment. Results are reported from a case study on the use of safety telephones and high-tech well-being wristbands that monitor vital signs in Finnish elderly-care organizations. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS Data collection involved human impact assessment methodologies including interviews and longer-term assessment processes among 78 care workers at 8 workplaces offering sheltered accommodation. The assessment results were analyzed qualitatively, also with the help of the concept of information quality. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Changes in the informational ecology were identified; informational ecology in a care unit is in many ways affected by technology use. The human impact assessment methodologies and the topic of information quality offered useful and novel points of view about daily care work in increasingly technological environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helinä Melkas
- Lappeenranta University of Technology, Lahti School of Innovation, Saimaankatu 11, 15140 Lahti, Finland.
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Uotila T, Melkas H. Complex knowledge conversion processes and information quality in regional innovation networks. Knowl Process Mgmt 2008. [DOI: 10.1002/kpm.317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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