Acceptance of Human-Robot Collaboration in Hospitals: Trust, Risk, and Ethics in Focus

In the rapidly evolving field of healthcare technology, understanding the factors that influence the acceptance of emerging technologies is crucial. This study examines stakeholder acceptance of Human-Robot Collaboration (HRC) in Rapid Response Systems (RRS), a high-stakes component of hospital care designed to prevent patient deterioration. While past research highlights the value of HRC in healthcare, little is known about its integration in RRS. Conducted as an exploratory case study at a public hospital in Australia, this research uses the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model, extended with trust, perceived risk, and ethical concerns. Survey data analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) show that performance expectancy, trust, perceived risk, and ethical concerns significantly influence the acceptance of HRC in RRS. Meanwhile, the traditional UTAUT constructs of effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions show limited predictive power. This study advances our understanding of the psychological and sociotechnical factors shaping the acceptance and implementation of HRC in environments defined by patient safety demands and time-sensitive care. The findings highlight the need to design HRC systems that improve operational efficiency, foster trust, and address perceived risks and ethical concerns to support effective integration across hospital environments.