Background: Robotic technologies present challenges to health care professionals and are therefore rarely used. Barriers such as lack of controllability and adaptability and complex control functions affect the human-robot relationship. In addition to educational opportunities, the possibility of individual adaptation can improve the usability and practical implementation of robotics. Previous work has focused on developments from a technology-centered perspective and has included user interests too late in the process. Objective: This study addresses the following research question: What cocreative research approaches are used in the field of nursing robotics to improve the usability, intended use, and goal-directed application of robotic developments for nurses and to support the nursing process? Methods: This scoping review provides an overview of the topic and the research activities taking place within it. Five databases and the reference lists of the identified publications were searched for studies without further restrictions. Studies were included if they developed and evaluated interaction and control platforms for robotic systems in health care in a cocreative way with end users. Results: The search resulted in 419 hits, of which 3 publications were included. All publications were feasibility or user studies that were mainly carried out in the European Union. The 3 interaction and control platforms presented were all prototypes and not commercially available. In addition to those in need of care, all studies also included family carers and health care professionals. Conclusions: Robotic interaction and control platforms in health care are rarely, if ever, developed and evaluated with feasibility or user studies that include prototypes and end users. While the involvement of end users is crucial, this review emphasizes that all stakeholders, including health care professionals, should participate in the development process to ensure a holistic understanding of application needs and a focus on user experiences and practical health care needs. It is emphasized that the active involvement of end users in the development process is critical to effectively meeting the needs of the target group.

Digital assistive technologies (DATs) present a significant opportunity to address the challenges of the healthcare system. However, they have not been designed for this purpose and are still in the process of further development. The objective of this study is to ascertain the extent to which a digital cross-device control and application platform for the simplified utilization of DATs alters the willingness of nurses to utilize them in the care process. An exploratory, longitudinal design with a mixed-methods approach was employed in this study. The co-creative design cycle was conducted in two long-term care facilities, with 25 caregivers participating in the form of testing for the platform’s prototypes across multiple iteration loops. The preliminary results indicate a high intention to use DAT, suggesting that the actual use of DAT through a control and application platform will be considerable. The overall trend demonstrates an increase in acceptance, willingness, and intention to use DAT among the participants. One proposed solution to the usability issues of DAT is to develop a platform with an interface for non-programmers to create individual interventions using everyday controls and a few intuitive steps. This could facilitate the sustainable implementation of DAT in healthcare.

Background: With the expected increase in the number of people needing care and the increasing shortage of skilled care workers, new care concepts are required. Therefore, digital assistive technologies (DATs), especially robotics, can improve the situation of people with different needs and create opportunities for participation. For a human-technology interaction to have a high level of usability, DAT’s meaningfulness and effectiveness must be accessible to end users. Significant barriers to the use of DATs in health care are the lack of controllability and adaptivity, as well as control functions that are too complex. Objective: The objective of this paper is to develop an interaction and control platform that is understandable to a layperson and has a programming interface for DAT interactions. The innovation consists of the expansion of usage and interaction options for carers of existing DAT in a more individual manner. This is to be achieved by combining modern interactive media, a modular software architecture, and already available DAT. Methods: The project is planned as a mixed methods study with a longitudinal design, with multiple user involvements and measurement times in collaboration with 3 care facilities in Germany. When assessing technologies, the satisfaction of the basic human needs of competence, connection, and autonomy plays an important role in the actual use of the technology. These needs can be measured in the form of usability (System Usability Scale), intention to use (Technology Usage Inventory), and satisfaction with the carers’ needs (Technology-Based Experience of Need Satisfaction). In the qualitative assessment, user experience is recorded using the think-aloud method and focus groups in order to obtain information about potential improvements of the platform. Results: The EduXBot (Educational Exploration Robot Application Platform) project was initiated in January 2023 and is scheduled to conclude in December 2025, at which point the project’s final results are expected to be available. The initial results were attained in the summer of 2024 when the final concept for the platform prototype was developed. In November 2024, an initial prototype of a functional platform for the simplified interaction and control of DAT was evaluated. Conclusions: It is expected that the open DAT system architecture enables caregivers without any previous technical knowledge to assemble their individual DAT functional portfolio. The results of the project will provide low-threshold access to interaction options for existing DAT as well as expand the usage of such technologies in an individual and patient-centered way. Trial Registration: Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien DRKS00034195; https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00034195 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/63089

Background: Aging populations and rising chronic illness prevalences are increasing demands for nursing care, while staff shortages threaten care quality. Robotics offer potential support, yet usability, workflow integration, and user acceptance remain major barriers. Objective: This study aims to develop and evaluate the feasibility, usability, and acceptance of a cross-device platform for controlling robotics in nursing using a participatory, user-centered approach. Methods: A convergent mixed methods feasibility study was conducted across 4 iterative workshops with 13 nurses from 2 German health care facilities. Quantitative measures included the System Usability Scale (SUS), Technology Usage Inventory (TUI), and Technology-based Experience of Need Satisfaction (TENS-Interface). Qualitative data were collected via think-aloud protocols and focus groups. Data integration supported iterative platform refinement and assessment of usability, acceptance, and satisfaction of psychological needs. Results: Participants exhibited high curiosity, perceived usefulness, and strong intention to use robotics, with low skepticism. SUS scores indicated acceptable usability. TENS-Interface scores showed increased autonomy and competence following workflow simplification and stepwise interaction logic. Qualitative findings emphasized intuitive control, personalized interventions, centralized management of multiple technologies, integration with documentation systems, and structured training. Triangulation of quantitative and qualitative data confirmed that iterative, user-centered refinements enhanced usability, acceptance, and platform effectiveness. Conclusions: Cross-device platforms integrating robotics can be successfully developed through participatory, user-centered methods. Technical usability, personalization, workflow integration, and structured training are key for adoption. The study demonstrates that technological barriers, rather than human resistance, are primary constraints to integrating robotics into nursing practice and can be mitigated through iterative co-creation aligned with real-world care contexts.

Zusammenfassung: Hintergrund: Digitale Assistenztechnologien bieten großes Potenzial, die Pflege zu unterstützen und zu entlasten, wenn sie an den Anforderungen des Pflegealltags ausgerichtet und gemeinsam mit den Anwendenden entwickelt werden. Ziel: Ziel war die Entwicklung und Pilotierung eines interdisziplinären, forschungsnahen Lehrformats (IFL) zur Qualifizierung von Studierenden der Informatik (Bachelor) und Gesundheits- und Pflegewissenschaften (Master) in Robotikentwicklung, partizipativer Forschung und interdisziplinärer Zusammenarbeit. Methoden: Das zwölfmonatige IFL gliederte sich in eine Ideen- und eine Entwicklungsphase mit Fokus auf Vermittlung partizipativer und interdisziplinärer Kompetenzen. Evaluativ kam ein Mixed-Methods-Design mit Prä-Post-Befragung sowie Fokusgruppeninterviews zum Einsatz, um Auswirkungen auf die Zusammenarbeit und Gelingensbedingungen für derartige Lehrformate zu erfassen. Ergebnisse: Das pilotierte IFL führte zur Entwicklung eines Proof of Concept zur robotikgestützten Wunddokumentation. Während sich die Einstellung der Informatikstudierenden zur interdisziplinären Zusammenarbeit verbesserte, zeigte sich bei den Pflegestudierenden ein negativer Trend. Fokusgruppeninterviews betonten die Bedeutung klarer Strukturen, curricularer Verankerung und praxisnaher Aufgaben für erfolgreiche Zusammenarbeit. Schlussfolgerungen: Studierende befürworten IFL mit praktischem Bezug zur späteren Berufspraxis. Derartige Lehrformate fördern die interdisziplinäre Zusammenarbeit sowie die persönliche und fachliche Entwicklung der Studierenden.

Background: Nursing Development Units (NDUs) are structured clinical environments designed to enhance professional development, collaboration, and organizational learning. While NDUs have been widely studied for their impact on nursing practice, their role in supporting digital transformation in health care has been less explicitly examined. Objective: This scoping review aimed to map the characteristics, structures, and processes of NDUs and identify how these elements may relate to digital readiness and the integration of digital tools in nursing practice. Methods: We conducted a scoping review of 40 publications describing NDUs. Data were coded iteratively to identify patterns at the individual, interpersonal, and organizational levels. Core elements and subcategories of NDUs were mapped, highlighting potential connections to capacities required for digital transformation. Results: NDUs operate across three levels: (1) individual—fostering professional role development, leadership, and resilience; (2) interpersonal—promoting participatory cultures, collaborative practice, and shared unit visions; and (3) organizational—providing structured frameworks for practice philosophy, role development, resource and change management, and embedded evaluation systems. While most primary publications did not explicitly address digital competencies, the structures, reflective practices, and collaborative processes described represent foundational capacities for engaging with digital tools, innovation, and organizational change. Conclusions: NDUs are characterized by multilevel structures and processes that enhance professional and organizational capacities. Although explicit evidence on digital transformation is limited, these capacities align with key prerequisites for the adoption and effective use of digital technologies in nursing practice. Further research is needed to examine how NDUs directly support digital innovation in clinical settings.