Objective:

To explore healthcare professionals' perceptions of social robots in dementia care, identify organizational and ethical challenges, and analyze clinical, technological, organizational, ethical, and other dimensions influencing the implementation of social robots.

Key Findings:

• Healthcare professionals recognize the potential benefits of social robots for enhancing quality of life in dementia care.
• Barriers to implementation include high costs, insufficient training, ethical concerns, and organizational challenges.
• Diverse perspectives on social robots were noted, reflecting varying experiences and institutional contexts, highlighting the need for tailored implementation strategies.

Interpretation:

The study highlights the need for a comprehensive understanding of the systemic, organizational, and ethical factors, including training, cost, and stakeholder engagement, that influence the adoption of social robots in dementia care settings.

Limitations:

• Potential selection bias due to reliance on professionals already familiar with or supportive of social robots, which may skew perceptions toward positive outcomes.
• Focus on qualitative insights may limit generalizability to broader populations.

Conclusion:

The integration of social robots in dementia care requires addressing identified barriers and fostering a supportive environment for their sustainable use.