Patients’ Reactions to Anthropomorphic Technologies in Healthcare. The Predictor Roles of Perceived Anthropomorphism and Human-Like Interaction: A Preliminarily Study

The fascinating concept of anthropomorphic technologies refers to those digital technologies appearing as human-like in its design, and in terms of attribution of human-like characteristics to these non-human objects (e.g., chatbots, robots, virtual avatars, and so on). In the healthcare sector, new anthropomorphic technologies may revolutionize the service delivery process, contributing to a reduction in physical distance and enriching the doctor–patient relationship. Furthermore, considering the evolutionary trend toward digital business models in healthcare, these new digital technologies could lead the healthcare system to a futuristic level. Through an exploratory research design, using a sample of 382 participants, in this preliminary study we investigated the combined effect of perceived human-like interaction level and anthropomorphism in influencing individuals’ reactions (intention to use) toward these new medical digital technologies. Discussions for healthcare managers and policymakers, together with food for thought for healthcare management and technology innovation in social services, are offered.