Expectation vs reality: A case study of the impact of the da Vinci surgical robot on healthcare professionals’ work experiences

Abstract

In recent years, considerable academic attention has been devoted to the use of new technology in the healthcare sector. However, there is limited empirical knowledge about how everyday professional work is affected or how professionals actually experience these changes. This article assesses the introduction of the da Vinci surgical robot in the colorectal surgery department of a National Health Service Hospital in England. It argues that the impact of technology on healthcare workers is not predetermined by the characteristics of a technology and should be understood as a combination of positive and negative experiences in specific, highly contextualised workplace settings. Benefits to patients of the da Vinci surgical robot are clinically promising, but its implementation continues to be difficult, and the trade-offs look much different for varying employee groups. Our ethnographic method enables us to present this finding in granular detail: the da Vinci surgical robot can improve the morale and occupational health of the healthcare professionals in this hospital, yet negative impacts such as anxiety associated with conducting new operation procedures are commonly experienced by surgical team members. This article covers themes such as recruitment, preparation, and training, and offers much-needed insights into the long-term development of the healthcare workforce in England and beyond. • This study highlights the importance of social context in medical innovation. • It expands the scope of discussion beyond technical or safety impacts. • Some positive and negative impacts on work are two sides of the same coin. • Management support can facilitate the processes and maximise the benefits.