Reflecting on her ethnographic research, the author initially emphasizes the importance of a holistic research approach of more intimate and relational practices that are shaped under te technoutopian conceptual umbrella of digitalization and informatization of health care. Further, the author uses the solution of ePrescription (the first IT solution implemented and operational within the Slovenian eHealth project) as an illustration of vitality, unexpected "outcomes" and vulnerability of contemporary sociomaterial medical reality. Namely, "digital" changes champion an algorithmically determined and normative medical practice as well as concepts as control, financial savings, optimization of time and work process. The author demonstrates how physicians experience dissatisfaction with the "top down" and the instrumentaly of digital entrance in medical practice. The work of health professionals is being intensively reduced to bureaucratic and administrative tasks.
COBISS.SI-ID: 41735981
This article gives an argument for why the focus on utopian and instrumental benefits of new technologies in health care is a problematic, reductionist view over the understanding of emerging wider social practices. After an introduction of the rise and difficulties of eHealth project implementation, the focus is put on critical consideration of wider social implications that arise from the integration of mHealth solutions in health promotion programmes. The paper looks at the challenges health promotion programmes face with the growing popularity and use of health and healthy lifestyle apps. Frequently, references to Slovenian context are presented. In the conclusions, some vital recommendations are given for policy development when incorporating self-tracking apps into health promotion strategies. Further, the list of references represents a broad overview of recent critical digital health literature and leads to further exploration of the subject.
COBISS.SI-ID: 527001881