Perceptions of Technology-Related Job Insecurity among Healthcare Personnel: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Abstract Robotics are increasingly looked to as a means for addressing workforce shortages in healthcare by relieving healthcare personnel of tasks. Despite their potential, recent research indicates that these technological advancements might contribute to feelings of job insecurity, prompting employees to consider alternative employment. Understanding how healthcare personnel view their job prospects considering robotic technology is crucial for ensuring that their implementation lessens rather than exacerbates workforce challenges in the sector. To explore this, we draw on literatures in management and human-technology interaction to hypothesize how the social work environment and perceptions of robot technology can influence healthcare workers’ technology-related job insecurity. Our study involved a cross-sectional survey conducted with healthcare staff at a Norwegian rehabilitation hospital ( N = 56) during a feasibility assessment of a humanoid robot for assisting in non-medical tasks. We used regression analysis with bootstrapping and found that perceptions of technology-related job insecurity were generally low. Team climate and beliefs regarding robot technology significantly explained 19% of variance in technology-related job insecurity. Higher perceived usefulness of the humanoid robot was related with increased perceptions of technology as a threat. This belief was, in turn, informed by general trust in the performance capabilities of robots. Our findings suggest that recognizing robots as useful can intensify perceptions of job insecurity amongst healthcare workers. Contrary to expectations, experiencing their work environment as promoting employee participation was not related to their threat perceptions. We discuss these findings and strategies for mitigating technology-related job insecurity for successful integration of robots in healthcare.