Insights from Healthcare Providers on the Use of Social Robots in Dementia Care: Findings from Interviews and Focus Groups in France - Report - MDSpire

Insights from Healthcare Providers on the Use of Social Robots in Dementia Care: Findings from Interviews and Focus Groups in France

  • By

  • Maribel Pino

  • Faustine Emmanuel

  • Hermine Lenoir

  • Matthieu Piccoli

  • Abdelhakim Hacil

  • Sebastien Dacunha

  • Anne-Sophie Rigaud

  • March 1, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Insights from Healthcare Providers on Social Robots in Dementia Care

Overview

This study explores healthcare professionals' perceptions of social robots in dementia care, identifying both benefits and challenges to their implementation. Findings highlight the potential of social robots to enhance care quality while also revealing significant barriers to their adoption in geriatric settings.

Background

The increasing prevalence of dementia necessitates innovative care solutions to improve the quality of life for affected individuals. Social robots have emerged as promising nonpharmacological interventions that can enhance social engagement and emotional well-being among older adults. However, their integration into routine care practices remains limited due to various systemic and organizational challenges.

Data Highlights

No numerical data was provided in the article.

Key Findings

  • Healthcare professionals recognize the potential benefits of social robots in enhancing social engagement and emotional well-being in dementia care.
  • Barriers to the implementation of social robots include high costs, insufficient staff training, and ethical concerns.
  • Organizational challenges such as time constraints and workforce instability hinder the adoption of socially assistive technologies.
  • There is a need for standardized evaluation tools to assess the effectiveness of social robots in care settings.
  • Perspectives from health professionals are crucial for understanding the conditions that support the integration of social robots into care routines.

Clinical Implications

Healthcare providers should be aware of the potential benefits of social robots in dementia care while also recognizing the barriers that may limit their use. Addressing these challenges through staff training and organizational support can facilitate the effective integration of socially assistive technologies into care practices.

Conclusion

The study underscores the importance of healthcare professionals' insights in shaping the implementation of social robots in dementia care. Overcoming identified barriers is essential for maximizing the benefits of these innovative technologies.

References

  1. npj Digital Medicine, 2025 -- A randomized pilot study evaluating socially assistive robot effects on patient engagement and care quality
  2. BMC Psychiatry, 2025 -- Exploring the Role of Agency in Psychotherapy: Experiences of Individuals with Mental Health Challenges in Interactions with AI Chatbots and Human Therapists
  3. npj Digital Medicine, 2025 -- Evaluating the Quality, Safety, and Inequities of an AI Chatbot in Chronic Disease Management: Insights from Simulated Patient Trials
  4. Dementia: assessment, management and support for people living with dementia and their carers, NICE
  5. npj Digital Medicine — Can human connection amplify digital health outcomes? Familial involvement in a mobile health app
  6. Health Care Professionals’ Perspectives of Socially Assistive Robots in Health Care Settings: Systematic Review
  7. Dementia: assessment, management and support for people living with dementia and their carers
  8. https://academic.oup.com/gerontologist/advance-article/doi/10.1093/geront/gnag019/8503433

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