Investigating switching intentions of patients to healthcare robots: a push–pull-mooring theory perspective

Purpose – Technology has changed the way healthcare services are rendered to patients. The present study aims to investigate the factors affecting intentions of Indian patients to switch to healthcare robots. Design/methodology/approach – Using push–pull-mooring theory, this study evaluates the impact of push, pull and mooring factors on switching patients’ intentions to use healthcare robots. To test the relationships, data were collected from 447 patients residing in the Delhi NCR region of India, and responses were empirically examined using Smart-PLS 3.0. Findings – The present study revealed both the significant and insignificant impacts of factors affecting patients’ switching intentions to healthcare robots. Eventually, the study contributes a validated model on switching intentions of patients from traditional healthcare facilities to healthcare robots. Research limitations/implications – As the present study evaluates the impact of push, pull and mooring factors affecting switching intentions of patients to healthcare robots, therefore, it will specifically help in understanding intentions of patients to switch to healthcare robots. However, this study is cross-sectional in nature and data is collected from Delhi NCR region of India which may limit its generalizability. Originality/value – This study examines the impact of factors affecting intentions to switch to healthcare robots considering emerging economies which is hardly considered in the past.