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Paper short abstract:

An integration of personal service (shower) robotics into home nursing care implies individual and organizational changes, and challenges users and care providers. The paper discusses how the innovation rephrases human values and alter established forms of user participation and service organization.

Paper long abstract:

The introduction of personal service (shower) robots into home nursing care services is an innovation of services that presupposes responsible and active care receivers who are able to utilize the technology. If successfully innovated, users are empowered and able to obtain self-sustained personal hygiene and live longer at home. The outcome is expected to be a more efficient service provision and reduced burden on care providers. A major argument is that current solutions are costly, invasive and uncomfortable for both service providers and receivers. However, the service innovation challenges conventional methods in home nursing care. It alters ways of user participation and relationships between participating actors: users, care providers and families. Through the innovation process, users are expected to make choices, have an influence and to take risks. Public services are expected to be more efficient and less "hands-on" due to demographical changes. In our research on integration of robotics into nurse care services, these challenges are addressed. By conducting individual and focus-group interviews with caregivers and user representatives, it was found that the innovation implies a rethinking of technology and values such as independency, dignity and autonomy. An important question is choice of users - who will benefit from the innovation. The service innovation also rephrases and poses new ethical questions and introduces new risk issues. Moreover, as organization culture, work routines and attitudes are expected to be affected, an ambivalence is seen with regard to whether the innovation implies a major shift or just a slightly change for services.