THE SOCIO-TECHNICAL TRANSFORMATION OF THE PATIENT-PHYSICIAN RELATIONSHIP: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF DIGITAL HEALTH, ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, AND FUTURE TRAJECTORIES

Jakub Wrona; Piotr Tryczyński; Jakub Sałak; Piotr Helbin; Aleksandra Gralec; Sebastian Ożga; Wiktoria Donocik; Aleksandra Spirkowicz

doi:10.31435/ijitss.1(49).2026.5681

Authors

Jakub Wrona Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7722-7507
Piotr Tryczyński Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0001-8997-3225
Jakub Sałak Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7078-6402
Piotr Helbin Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0007-5289-2521
Aleksandra Gralec Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0001-0061-311X
Sebastian Ożga Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-1337-7800
Wiktoria Donocik Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3801-6729
Aleksandra Spirkowicz Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2228-4536

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.1(49).2026.5681

Keywords:

Patient-Physician Relationship, Digital Health, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Telemedicine, Socio-Technical Systems, e-Patient Empowerment

Abstract

Background: The digital transformation of healthcare is initiating a fundamental redefinition of the patient-physician relationship, evolving from a traditional paternalistic hierarchy toward a dynamic, data-driven socio-technical ecosystem.

Methods: This review article synthesizes 31 high-impact peer-reviewed publications to examine the reconfiguration of the therapeutic alliance in the era of intelligent synthesis. The study categorizes evidence into four thematic pillars—Structural Agency, Algorithmic Mediation, Virtualization, and Systemic Friction.

Results: A focal point of this analysis is the "Empathy Paradox," where AI-generated communication is perceived as more affective than human interactions, highlighting a systemic crisis within medical environments burdened by administrative tasks. The findings suggest that the future of medicine relies on technology automating clerical work while returning authentic presence to the healing process.

Conclusions: Achieving health equity by 2030 requires proactive governance to close the digital health divide and ensure algorithmic transparency.

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