The Doctor Who Wasn't There: Technology, History, and the Limits of Telehealth

The Doctor Who Wasnt There explores the long arc of enthusiasm for and skepticism of electronic media in health and medicine, tracing the role that electronic media play in the past, present, and future of our health. Today's telehealth devices are more sophisticated than the hook-and-ringer telephones of the 1920s, but the ethical, economic, and logistical concerns they raise are prefigured in the past.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 26 October 2022
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

The Doctor Who Wasnt There: A History of Electronic Media in Health and Medicine explores the fascinating journey of the electronic devices we use to access healthcare, shaping the very care we receive. Spanning over a century, this captivating narrative delves into the ever-evolving enthusiasm for and skepticism surrounding electronic media in the realm of health and medicine. From the humble telephone to the connected smartphone, from FM radio to wireless wearables, from cable television to the "electronic brains" of networked mainframe computers, each new platform has promised a revolutionary transformation of the healthcare landscape.

Physician and historian Jeremy A. Greene meticulously examines the role of electronic media in the past, present, and future of our health, encompassing the history of technology, medicine, and the politics and economies of American healthcare. With equal attention to these diverse aspects, Greene uncovers the intricate interplay between electronic media and the evolution of healthcare.

Today's telehealth devices, while remarkably sophisticated compared to their predecessors, raise ethical, economic, and logistical concerns that echo historical precedents. The ethical dilemmas they present, such as privacy and security concerns, are not new, as they were also raised during the development of earlier technologies. Similarly, the gaps between what was promised and what was delivered have a long history, with each platform producing subtle transformations in health and healthcare that have often been forgotten or overshadowed by the promise of newer forms of communication.

Greene's history illuminates the social and technical contexts in which electronic medicine has been conceived and implemented, shedding light on the urgent stakes for those seeking to use new media to build a more equitable future. By tracing the long arc of enthusiasm and skepticism, The Doctor Who Wasnt There offers valuable insights into the complex relationship between electronic devices and the quality of care we receive. It serves as a reminder that as we navigate the ever-changing landscape of healthcare, we must be mindful of the ethical, economic, and logistical implications of our choices and work towards a future where technology enhances rather than detracts from the well-being of individuals and communities.

Dimension: 229 x 152 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226800899