The Digital Catalyst: ICT and the Media's Influence on Healthcare
The internet, and particularly the World Wide Web, has significantly disrupted the traditional power dynamic in the patient-physician relationship by democratizing access to knowledge. Historically, the physician's authority rested on the knowledge gap between themselves and their patients. The medical profession has long been characterized by its reliance on highly specialized and abstract training (Adam & Herzlich, 2014). A physician's legitimacy stemmed from the acquisition of knowledge through extensive training and interaction with peers. Before the advent of search engines and instant access to information, patients – as laypersons – had to summon significant courage and patience to research the latest scientific advancements related to their condition. However, the patient's relationship with medical information has been fundamentally altered. The internet, by providing knowledge accessible to all, has contributed to its demystification (Boudier, Bensebaa, ...