This study examined the published works related to healthcare robotics for older people using the attributes of health, nursing, and the human-computer interaction framework. An integrative literature review. A search strategy captured 55 eligible articles from databases (CINAHL, Embase, IEEE Xplore, and PubMed) and hand-searching approaches. Bibliometric and content analyses grounded on the health and nursing attributes and human-computer interaction framework were performed using MAXQDA. Finally, results were verified using critical friend feedback by a second reviewer. Most articles were from multiple authorship, published in non-nursing journals, and originating from developed economies. They primarily focused on applying healthcare robots in practice settings, physical health, and communication tasks. Using the human-computer interaction framework, it was found that older adults frequently served as the primary users while nurses, healthcare providers, and researchers functioned as secondary users and operators. Research articles focused on the usability, functionality, and acceptability of robotic systems. At the same time, theoretical papers explored the frameworks and the value of empathy and emotion in robots, human-computer interaction and nursing models and theories supporting healthcare practice, and gerontechnology. Current robotic systems are less anthropomorphic, operated through real-time direct and supervisory inputs, and mainly equipped with visual and auditory sensors and actuators with limited capability in performing health assessments. Results communicate the need for technological competency among nurses, advancements in increasing healthcare robot humanness, and the importance of conscientious efforts from an interdisciplinary research team in improving robotic system usability and utility for the care of older adults.

Despite the potential benefits of Telehealth (healthcare delivery at a distance), a digital divide among seniors remains prevalent with lesser attention on their acceptance as end-users of technology. Anchored on a theory of technology adoption, Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), behavioral intention for Telehealth use among Filipino elderly was determined. The responses of technology-trained older adults (n = 82) were collected using a 12-item questionnaire adapted from Venkatesh, Morris, Davis, Gordon, and Davis (2003) on UTAUT. A Structural Equation Modeling was performed using Partial Least Squares regression for data exploration and model estimation. The study revealed that the UTAUT constructs, particularly effort expectancy (ß = 0.319; p = .000), have yielded a significant influence on the behavioral intention of elderly to participate in Telehealth. Further, gender showed no moderating effect on these variables. Results of the study supported the espousal of UTAUT Model as an indispensable framework in empowering older adults using Telehealth.

Background: The World Health Organization estimates that between 80,000 and 180,000 medical personnel perished as a result of COVID-19. Although studies about nurses’ organizational commitment during the COVID-19 pandemic have been conducted, the sources of motivations and resilience strategies of nurses in providing a quality healthcare service amidst the COVID-19 pandemic have yet to be explored. Objective: This study aimed to investigate how motivation and resilience influence nurses to serve and cater to patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A sequential exploratory mixed approach was used in this study between July and August 2022. The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10), Work Extrinsic and Intrinsic Motivations scale (WEIMS), and Garbee and Killacky’s Intent to Stay Scale (GKISS) were used to measure resilience, motivation, and intention to stay, among 50 nurses within Metro Manila. Quantitative data were analyzed using quantile regression, while qualitative data from eight participants were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: The majority of the nurses were working 12 hours and above (52%) and earning a bi-weekly income of PHP 15,001 to 20,000 (96%). The GKISS scores of most respondents indicated their likelihood of remaining in their current profession was moderately low (Mdn = 12.5; IQR = 12-14). It was also found that there was no sufficient statistical evidence to conclude that intention to stay was associated with resilience (p = 0.914) and work motivation (p = 0.560). The qualitative strand of this study explored the significant influences of motivation, resilience strategies, and sources of intention to stay among Filipino nurses while facing the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary motivations of nurses lie in family, passion for work, and career development, while the resilience strategies include adaptiveness, time management skills, and self-fulfillments. On the other hand, the intent to stay greatly lies in serving the people and the country. Conclusion: This study concludes that positive and negative resilience and motivations from different facets of the social life of Filipino nurses, including passion, familial ties, patient care, and faith are the antecedents influencing the intention to serve in the healthcare service. In terms of staying for an extended period in a nursing career, the study found that institutionalized interventions, adequate compensation and benefits, and a good workplace are determinants of staying longer in the Philippines as Filipino nurses.

As an example of health-enhancing physical activities (HEPA), structured physical exercise is valuable in promoting healthy lifestyles among community-dwelling older adults. Technology-driven virtual coaches have the potential to enhance and improve exercise programs, but the preferences of the aging population were not previously explored. This study examined and analyzed the attributes and levels related to the acceptance of virtual coaches among the aging cohort via experience-based conjoint and latent class analysis. Purposively selected respondents (n = 232) from two senior centers in the Philippines completed a conjoint activity followed by a computer-based survey focusing on attributes related to platform, appearance, gender, language, and music. Results revealed the subjects’ inclination to a humanlike, feminine, local language-speaking virtual coach projected through a mixed reality platform with a contemporary music background. Additionally, latent class analysis outcomes produced three subgroups based on the pattern of preferences among the technology users. Study outcomes reinforce the importance of human-centered design and multidisciplinary approaches to health technology development.