LinkinCare · Linking the development and implementation of technologies in nursing care

With a rapidly aging population and a growing shortage of healthcare workers, digital technologies, such as robots, are essential for transforming healthcare. Nurses, the largest group in the healthcare workforce, are key to implementing these technologies. However, up to 80% of technologies fail to be fully implemented in the workplace due to insufficient involvement of end-users in the technology development and implementation process. LinkinCare aims to bridge this gap by aligning the needs of patients and nurses with technology development and implementation. This project will: (i) explore the needs of nurses and patients to co-design robotic functions that integrate seamlessly into nursing workflows; (ii) identify barriers and facilitators to robot implementation and develop tailored strategies to ensure successful integration in healthcare settings; and (iii) evaluate the cost-effectiveness of robot implementation by assessing outcomes such as acceptability, adoption, feasibility, impact on staff workload, patient experiences, and costs. LinkinCare will draw on interdisciplinary expertise from nursing science, robotics, implementation science, social science, and health economics, with a specific focus on compatibility with existing hospital systems and workflows. By collaborating closely with nurses, patients, and the industry partner Welbo (a robot supplier), this approach will ensure that the co-designed robotic functions are fit-for-purpose and suitable for practical use by both patients and nurses. Moreover, promoting needs-driven and cost-effective technological innovations will provide long-term societal benefits by sustaining the workforce and reducing costs. Additionally, the extensive multidisciplinary training in research and transferable skills provided by this fellowship will support my goal of becoming an independent researcher in health technology innovations.