Previously submitted to: Journal of Medical Internet Research (no longer under consideration since Jun 06, 2026)
Date Submitted: Dec 3, 2025
Open Peer Review Period: Dec 4, 2025 - Jan 29, 2026
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The Impact of Power Perception on the Acceptance of Digital Health Technologies Among Patients and Healthcare Professionals: A Systematic Review
ABSTRACT
Background:
The COVID-19 pandemic imposed fundamental challenges on global healthcare systems and highlighted the need to reconsider traditional models of medical service delivery. In this context, digital health technologies emerged as critical solutions for ensuring continuity of care. However, acceptance of these technologies appears to be shaped by how different stakeholders perceive power within care relationships.
Objective:
This review aimed to synthesize evidence on how power perception influences the acceptance of digital health systems among patients and healthcare professionals, to identify factors that shape stakeholders’ attitudes and behaviors toward telehealth adoption.
Methods:
A systematic review was conducted using two major scientific databases, supplemented by expert recommendations. The search initially identified 550 articles. After applying predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria and screening titles, abstracts and full texts, 25 studies were selected for the final analysis.
Results:
The findings indicated that digital health technologies enhance patients’ empowerment, increase their control over health conditions, improve self-care and foster participation in shared decision-making. In contrast, many physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals viewed these developments with concern. The evidence suggests that such technologies influence their perception of professional power, particularly in relation to decision-making autonomy and symbolic status.
Conclusions:
This systematic review revealed two contrasting perspectives on digital health. Patients largely perceived telehealth technologies as empowering tools, whereas many healthcare providers regarded them as potential threats to their professional authority and autonomy. These divergent perceptions of power may critically shape the acceptance and long-term integration of telehealth systems into routine care.
Citation
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