Technology and medical practice.

Area of Science:

• Sociology of Health and Illness
• Health Informatics
• Medical Sociology

Background:

• Information and communication technologies (ICT) have significantly reshaped healthcare delivery and patient experiences over the last 25 years.
• The integration of ICT has influenced healthcare organization, professional roles, and patient engagement with illness and management.
• Sociology of Health and Illness has served as a platform for analyzing these technological shifts in healthcare.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and analyze the existing body of research on information and communication technologies (ICT) in healthcare, as published in the Journal of Sociology of Health and Illness.
• To identify key themes and areas of sociological inquiry related to ICT in healthcare, including dehumanization, emotional labor, professional identity, and the social shaping of technology.
• To highlight the under-exploration of ICT in healthcare within the sociology of health and illness field and suggest avenues for future research.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of research published in the Journal of Sociology of Health and Illness focusing on information and communication technologies in healthcare.
• Thematic analysis of selected papers to identify recurring issues such as dehumanization, emotional labor, professional practice, and the social and institutional influences on technology adoption.
• Identification of cognate research areas that may offer insights for the sociological analysis of technology in action within healthcare settings.

Main Results:

• Research in Sociology of Health and Illness has addressed critical issues like dehumanization, emotional labor, and the impact of ICT on professional practice and identity.
• The Journal has published studies examining the social and institutional factors that shape the development and implementation of healthcare technologies.
• Despite existing contributions, the Journal and the broader field of sociology of health and illness have relatively under-explored the multifaceted impact of ICT in healthcare.

Conclusions:

• Sociology of Health and Illness has provided valuable insights into the complex interplay between technology, healthcare professionals, and patients.
• There is a need for expanded sociological research on information and communication technologies within healthcare to fully understand their implications.
• Future research should explore developments in related fields to enrich the sociological analysis of technology in action within healthcare contexts.