Digital Health Communications

This book explores the ethical implications of digital communication in healthcare,including the use of collaborative tools by healthcare professionals,the deployment of applications for tracking infected patients,and the search for information on symptoms. It offers a critical look at the organizational and professional limits of ICT uses for patients,their caregivers,and healthcare professionals and analyzes the links between ICT and ethics of care,where health communication is part of a global,humanistic,and emancipating care for patients and caregivers.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 03 September 2021
Publisher: ISTE Ltd

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the urgent need for research in digital communications to better understand the current landscape of health information communication. This book provides a comprehensive examination of the challenges and limitations of using Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in healthcare, specifically focusing on the experiences of patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. It explores the intricate relationship between ICT and ethics of care, recognizing health communication as an integral component of a global, humanistic, and emancipating approach to patient care.

The book offers a critical analysis of the organizational and professional boundaries of ICT use in healthcare. It examines how ICTs can be leveraged to enhance patient care, improve communication between healthcare providers, and facilitate the exchange of medical information. However, it also raises important questions about the potential risks and ethical implications associated with ICT use, particularly in the context of sensitive personal health data.

One of the key themes explored in the book is the competition between biomedical expert knowledge and experiential secular knowledge. With the advent of the internet, there has been a proliferation of health information available to the public, often sourced from non-traditional sources such as social media and online communities. This has led to a shift in the way health knowledge is communicated, with a growing emphasis on patient-centered and experiential approaches.

The book presents new digitized means of communicating health knowledge that leverage the power of the internet to bridge the gap between biomedical expert knowledge and experiential secular knowledge. It discusses the use of digital platforms, such as social media, online forums, and mobile apps, to disseminate health information, engage with patients, and promote health literacy. These digitized means of communication offer the potential to reach a wider audience, provide personalized health advice, and empower patients to take control of their health care.

However, the book also highlights the challenges associated with these new modes of communication. It emphasizes the need for healthcare professionals to be aware of the potential risks and ethical implications of ICT use, such as the risk of misinformation, privacy breaches, and the potential for exploitation. It calls for robust regulations and policies to ensure that ICTs are used in a responsible and ethical manner, protecting the rights and privacy of patients and healthcare professionals.

In conclusion, this book provides a valuable insight into the complex relationship between ICT and healthcare. It offers a critical examination of the challenges and limitations of ICT use in healthcare, while also highlighting the potential benefits and opportunities that these technologies can bring to patient care. By exploring the links between ICT and ethics of care, the book provides a framework for developing effective and responsible strategies for using ICTs in healthcare.

Weight: 496g
Dimension: 238 x 162 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781786304681