Twitter discussions about the predicaments of robots in geriatric nursing: forecast of nursing robotics in aged care.

BACKGROUND

People use social media to express perceptions, attitudes and a wide range of concerns regarding human life.

AIM

This study aims at analysing the ongoing discussions on the internet microblog Twitter and offers some coming predicaments regarding developments in geriatric nursing regarding nursing robots.

METHODS

Data were retrospectively collected from Twitter. 1322 mentions were included in the final analyses, where principles of interpreting data by using netnography were utilized.

RESULTS

Many ideas are presented expressing functional, psychological and social aspects of robots in nursing care. Most postings come from metropolitan cities around the globe. The discussion focuses on market-driven, science fiction solutions for aged care. Twitter users overall seem to be positive using various nursing robots in aged care. These discussions offer a window into the attitudes and ideas of this group of users.

CONCLUSION

We suggest that monitoring Twitter discussions on social media can provide valuable insights into current attitudes as well as forecast coming trends.