Psychological Impact of Robotic Surgery on Patient Health: An Analysis

Abstract

Law, Society and Technology form an inseparable triangle. In the era of rapid technological advancement, law must act as a regulatory mechanism to ensure innovation must remain subservient to human dignity. The integration of technology in the Indian medical sector, mainly robotic-assisted surgery represents the medical innovation. It has revolutionized healthcare by offering enhanced precision, minimal invasiveness and reduced recovery time. However, the psychological dimensions of robotic surgery remain largely unexamined. The present study adopts a conceptual and doctrinal to analyse the robotic-assisted surgery which affects the mental health of patients across preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative stages. It examines fundamental factors contributing to fear, anxiety, technophobia and trust deficits arising from patients’ unfamiliarity with machine-mediated procedures. The study explores the dynamics of trust between human expertise and technological mediation. The implications for empowerment, alienation and perceived control. The study discovers that patient psychological welfare is enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution of India which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty. The study also states that informed consent in robotic surgery and requires revelation of technical risks, system limitations and the surgeon’s role vis-à-vis the machine. Despite its benefits, robotic surgery presents significant medico-legal challenges such as high costs, liability attribution in case of malfunction, inadequate training protocols, data security and lack of specific regulatory frameworks. The study also concludes the general patient care in the age of surgical robotics and requires integration of psychological safeguards into medical and legal protocols. It recommends mandatory preoperative counselling, reviewed consent forms, structured training for surgeons and legislative reforms to redefine medical accountability from individual negligence to system liability.