Review article demonstrates how digital health transforms therapeutic alliances, suggesting implications for future healthcare.
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.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Wrona et al. (2026) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: