DIGITAL HEALTH TOOLS AND DOCTOR PATIENT RELATIONSHIP

• NAVEED SHUJA

  Dean, Professor Department of Bio-Chemistry, Lahore Medical & Dental College, Lahore

  Author

In the past two decades, digital technology has transformed almost every aspect of modern life and healthcare is no exception. From telemedicine and electronic health records to wearable sensors and artificial intelligence (AI) driven diagnostic platforms, digital health tools are reshaping the way care is delivered, monitored, and experienced¹. Yet, amidst these innovations, one fundamental pillar of medicine is being redefined: the doctor–patient relationship. This relationship has always been at the heart of clinical practice. It is built on trust, empathy, shared decision-making, and human connection. But as technology integrates more deeply into health systems, it brings both opportunities and challenges. The key question is not whether digital tools should shape this relationship they already are but how to ensure that technology strengthens rather than weakens it².

The Changing Landscape of Healthcare:

Traditionally, healthcare has revolved around face-to-face encounters. A patient visits a clinic, the physician listens, examines, advises, and treats. This personal interaction forms the foundation of medical trust. However, digital health tools are expanding this model. Today, a patient can track their blood pressure at home using a connected device, consult a physician via video call, receive AI-generated health alerts, or access their full medical history on a mobile app³. This shift allows care to move beyond hospital walls into patients’ homes, workplaces, and communities. It gives individuals more control over their health, enabling continuous monitoring, early detection of disease, and personalized interventions. For doctors, digital tools offer real-time data, improved diagnostic accuracy, and better coordination of care. These developments promise to make healthcare more patient-centered, efficient, and equitable. But they also raise new questions: What happens to the personal bond between doctor and patient when much of their interaction occurs through a screen or an algorithm? How do we preserve trust and empathy in a digital world?⁴

Enhancing Access and Communication:

One of the most significant contributions of digital health tools is improved access. Telemedicine platforms allow patients to consult physicians regardless of distance, reducing travel costs and waiting times. This has been especially impactful in rural and underserved regions, where healthcare access is often limited. For patients with chronic diseases, remote monitoring devices and mobile applications enable continuous communication with their healthcare teams⁵. A diabetic patient, for example, can send glucose readings directly to their doctor, who can adjust treatment without requiring an in-person visit. This fosters a more dynamic and ongoing relationship, rather than episodic consultations. Digital communication tools also allow multidisciplinary collaboration between healthcare providers. Patients benefit when their primary physician, specialist, pharmacist, and therapist can share data in real time and make collective decisions. This strengthens trust and improves outcomes⁶.

Patient Empowerment and Shared Decision-Making:

Digital health is also a powerful enabler of patient empowerment. By giving patients access to their own health records, wearable data, and educational resources, technology helps them better understand their conditions⁷. This shifts the traditional dynamic from “doctor knows best” to shared decision-making, where patients are active participants in their care. Informed patients often have better adherence to treatment plans, improved satisfaction, and better outcomes. When patients can see their own blood pressure trends or understand the impact of their daily steps on their glucose levels, they are more likely to engage meaningfully with their doctors. Moreover, AI-driven clinical decision support tools can help both doctors and patients navigate complex information together. When used transparently, these tools can strengthen trust rather than replace clinical judgment⁸.

Challenges to the Human Connection:

While digital health brings many advantages, it also introduces real challenges to the doctor–patient relationship. One of the most frequently cited concerns is the risk of depersonalization. Face-to-face consultations allow for subtle cues facial expressions, tone of voice, body language that build empathy and understanding⁹. Digital interfaces can reduce these cues, making interactions feel transactional rather than personal. There is also a risk that doctors become overwhelmed by data. Wearable devices and home monitoring tools generate massive amounts of information, which may be difficult to interpret and integrate into clinical workflows. Without proper systems in place, this can lead to information overload, reduced attention, and less meaningful communication during consultations. Another concern is digital inequality. Not all patients have access to smartphones, stable internet connections, or the digital literacy needed to use advanced health tools. If not carefully managed, this can widen the gap between those who benefit from digital health and those who are left behind¹⁰.

Trust, Privacy, and Ethical Considerations:

Trust is the cornerstone of the doctor–patient relationship. With the increasing use of digital tools, data privacy and security have become critical issues. Patients must feel confident that their personal health information is safe, confidential, and used appropriately¹¹. Any breach of trust such as unauthorized data sharing or cybersecurity failures can severely damage this relationship. Moreover, as AI becomes more integrated into diagnostics and treatment decisions, transparency and accountability are essential. Patients need to understand the role of algorithms in their care, and doctors must remain the final decision-makers, ensuring that technology supports—not replaces clinical judgment. Clear ethical guidelines and regulatory frameworks are vital. Physicians must be trained to navigate these technologies responsibly, and patients must be informed of their rights¹².

The Evolving Role of Physicians:

The rise of digital health is not replacing doctors it is transforming their roles. Physicians are no longer just providers of information but interpreters, guides, and partners in care. As patients increasingly access health information online, physicians must help them filter accurate from misleading data and integrate digital insights into holistic care plans⁹. This shift requires new skills. Doctors must become comfortable with telemedicine platforms, data interpretation, and digital communication. Medical education should incorporate digital literacy and communication skills to prepare future healthcare professionals for this new reality. At the same time, doctors must safeguard the human elements of care compassion, empathy, and active listening. Technology can enhance, but never replace, these qualities¹⁰.

Integrating Technology Without Losing Humanity:

The future of healthcare lies in harmonizing technology with human connection. Digital health tools should be viewed as extensions of the doctor–patient relationship, not substitutes. Thoughtful integration means using technology to free up time for meaningful conversations rather than replacing them. For example, automated reminders and digital check-ins can reduce administrative burdens, allowing physicians to focus on direct patient interaction⁵. AI algorithms can assist with routine tasks, but final decisions and emotional support must come from humans. Hybrid care models combining in-person and digital interactions are likely to be the most effective. A patient may use a mobile app for daily monitoring, telemedicine for follow-ups, and in-person visits for complex issues. This blended approach maintains personal connection while harnessing the efficiency of digital tools².

Policy and System-Level Considerations:

To ensure digital health strengthens doctor–patient relationships, health systems must implement supportive policies. This includes ensuring data security, equitable access to technology, appropriate reimbursement for telemedicine, and integration of digital tools into existing workflows. Training programs should prepare healthcare professionals to communicate effectively in virtual environments¹¹. Additionally, patient education programs should help individuals use digital tools confidently and responsibly. Governments and health organizations must also address the digital divide. Ensuring affordable internet access, providing digital literacy programs, and supporting underserved populations will be essential for equitable healthcare¹².

A Human-Centered Digital Future:

Medicine has always evolved with technology from the stethoscope to the MRI scanner to AI diagnostics. But its core values remain constant: trust, compassion, and partnership. Digital health offers an unprecedented opportunity to enhance these values if used wisely. Doctors must embrace digital tools not as replacements but as allies in delivering better care⁵. Patients must be empowered to use technology for their own health without losing the personal bond with their physicians. Policymakers must create environments that ensure equity, privacy, and trust. The future of the doctor–patient relationship is not less human it can be more human if technology is used to remove barriers and bring people closer, not push them apart. In this digital age, the most powerful tool remains the same: a meaningful, trusting relationship between a doctor and their patient⁴.

1. Győrffy Z, Radó N, Mesko B. Digitally engaged physicians about the digital health transition. PLoS One. 2020;15(9):e0238658. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0238658.

2. Carini E, Villani L, Pezzullo AM, Gentili A, Barbara A, Ricciardi W, Boccia S. The Impact of Digital Patient Portals on Health Outcomes, System Efficiency, and Patient Attitudes: Updated Systematic Literature Review. J Med Internet Res. 2021;23(9):e26189. doi:10.2196/26189.

3. Jongsma KR, van de Vathorst S. How digital health affects the patient-physician relationship. Lancet Digit Health. 2021;3(10):e633-e634. doi:10.1016/S2589-7500(21)00191-6.

4. Nassehi D. Theoretical perspectives underpinning research on the physician–patient relationship and digital health technologies: A scoping review. Int J Med Res. 2024;13(1):e47280. doi:10.2196/47280.

5. Sze KP, et al. Exploring Physicians’ Perceptions of Digital Health’s Impact on the Patient-Physician Relationship. J Med Internet Res. 2024;26(1):e53705. doi:10.2196/53705.

6. Madanian S, Nakarada-Kordic I, Reay S, Chetty T. Patients’ perspectives on digital health tools: a narrative review. PEC Innov. 2023;2:100171. doi:10.1016/j.pecinn.2023.100171.

7. Catapan SC, et al. A systematic review of consumers’ and healthcare professionals’ trust in digital healthcare. npj Digit Med. 2025;8:15. doi:10.1038/s41746-025-01510-8.

8. Chen Q. Artificial intelligence in healthcare: rethinking doctor-patient relationship in megacities. Front Health Serv. 2025; (in press). doi:10.3389/frhs.2025.1694139.

9. Luo A, Qin L, Yuan Y, Yang Z, Liu F, Huang P, Xie W. The effect of online health information seeking on physician-patient relationships: A systematic review. J Med Internet Res. 2022;24(2):e23354. doi:10.2196/23354.

10. Carini E, et al. (Alternate/broader) Improving health literacy using digital communications: a review. Front Digit Health. 2023;5:1264780. doi:10.3389/fdgth.2023.1264780.

11. Carini E. Value-based digital health: A systematic literature review of the value-based digital health elements. Health Informatics J. 2024;30(1):20552076241277438. doi:10.1177/20552076241277438.

12. Tapuria A, et al. Impact of patient access to their electronic health record on outcomes and doctor–patient relationship: a systematic review. Health Info J. 2021;27(3):1758-78. doi:10.1080/17538157.2021.1879810.

• PDF

Copyright (c) 2025 NAVEED SHUJA (Author)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.