Title: Multi-faceted boundary relations in pharmacy automation

Authors: Kalle A. Laakso; Tuuli Turja; Tuomo Särkikoski

Addresses: Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, Kalevantie 5, Tampere, 33014, Finland ' Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, Kalevantie 5, Tampere, 33014, Finland ' Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, Kalevantie 5, Tampere, 33014, Finland

Abstract: The robotisation of pharmacies has been a comprehensive and yet subtle development proceeding over the past two decades. Pharmacies provide a novel and relevant framework for the study of automation where multiple factors, including professional interests, governmental regulation, and private business interests all determine how robots are integrated into work. Applying a mixed methods approach including interviews with automation manufacturers and pharmacy workers as well as a comprehensive survey (N = 573), we investigated how pharmacy automation is produced and implemented. Our research shows that pharmacy automation is deemed more useful by the pharmaceutical staff compared to technical assistants. Autonomous machines may reduce workers' own autonomy. Significant factors in evaluating the usefulness of automation were primarily autonomy and time pressure. The findings further reveal that pharmacy robots facilitate a new spatial design where the effectiveness of automation can also be harnessed to increase over-the-counter product sales amplify the societal use of medication, also known as pharmaceuticalisation.

Keywords: automation; robots; pharmacy; medication; pharmaceuticalisation; professional relations; boundary relations; healthcare; medical care.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHTM.2023.134446

International Journal of Healthcare Technology and Management, 2023 Vol.20 No.4, pp.326 - 347

Received: 30 Mar 2022
Accepted: 13 Feb 2023
Published online: 23 Oct 2023 *

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