Body objectified? Phenomenological perspective on patient objectification in teleconsultation

Area of Science:

• Medical Sociology
• Phenomenology
• Digital Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated teleconsultation use.
• Teleconsultation presents benefits and drawbacks for patient-doctor relationships.
• Patient objectification impacts healthcare quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore how teleconsultation affects patient objectification.
• To analyze the impact of teleconsultation on the patient-doctor relationship through phenomenology.
• To investigate changes in patient agency and alienation during teleconsultation.

Main Methods:

• Phenomenological approach analyzing the 'lived body' and 'object body'.
• Incorporation of findings from qualitative research on patient experiences with teleconsultation.
• Theoretical framework from phenomenology of medicine on patient objectification.

Main Results:

• Teleconsultation diminishes the 'internalized gaze' of the clinician, a key source of objectification.
• Patients report increased sense of agency and decreased alienation.
• Teleconsultation fosters potential for closer patient-provider relationships.

Conclusions:

• Teleconsultation can mitigate patient objectification.
• The technology facilitates a less hierarchical patient-provider dynamic.
• Enhanced patient agency and reduced alienation may improve the therapeutic relationship.