1. The digital generation and nursing robotics: A netnographic study about nursing care robots posted on social media.
- Author
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Eriksson, Henrik and Salzmann ‐ Erikson, Martin
- Subjects
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CARING , *INTELLECT , *INTERNET , *THEORY of knowledge , *RESEARCH methodology , *NURSING , *PHILOSOPHY of nursing , *NURSING practice , *NURSING research , *SCIENTIFIC observation , *ROBOTICS , *TECHNOLOGY , *ETHNOLOGY research , *QUALITATIVE research , *PRODUCT design , *SOCIAL media , *RETROSPECTIVE studies , *MEDICAL equipment reliability - Abstract
The aim of this study was to present the functionality and design of nursing care robots as depicted in pictures posted on social media. A netnographic study was conducted using social media postings over a period of 3 years. One hundred and Seventy-two images were analyzed using netnographic methodology. The findings show that nursing care robots exist in various designs and functionalities, all with a common denominator of supporting the care of one's own and others' health and/or well-being as a main function. The results also show that functionality and design are influenced by recent popular sci-fi/cartoon contexts as portrayed in blockbuster movies, for example. Robots'designs seem more influenced by popular sci-fi/cartoon culture than professional nursing culture. We therefore stress that it is relevant for nursing researchers to critically reflect upon the development of nursing care robots as a thoughtful discussion about embracing technology also might generate a range of epistemological possibilities when entering a postmodern era of science and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2017
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