Communication technologies through an etymological lens: looking for a classification, reflections about health, medicine and care

Abstract

Information and communication technologies are widely used in healthcare. However, there is not still a unified taxonomy for them. The lack of understanding of this phenomenon implies theoretical and ethical issues. This paper attempts to find out the basis for a classification, starting from a new perspective: the structural elements are obtained from the etymologies of the lexicon commonly used, that is words like telemedicine, telehealth, telecare and telecure. This will promote a better understanding of communication technologies; at the same time, it will allow to draw some reflection about health, medicine and care, and their semantic and relational nature.

A “matter of communication”: A new classification to compare and evaluate telehealth and telemedicine interventions and understand their effectiveness as a communication process

“…8,27,28 The major reason of such a continuous evolution is probably the technology itself, 6 which has developed rapidly during the last decades in the healthcare sector, as in other fields of modern society. 3 Therefore, while any attempted taxonomy should not be based on a descriptive approach 29 -a technology-based lexicon, simply describing ICTs from a technological point of view, or considering the technological forms of their use (e.g. timing or type of interaction)-it must remain flexible and dynamic 20 at the same time.…”

“…601-602) Without a unified, shared classification, we cannot frame the true mechanisms underlying the effectiveness and efficiency of interventions. 29,30 We also cannot understand whether the real scope of ICTs is to measure biological parameters, to enhance communication and relationship, or to trigger and to support behaviors. Actual taxonomies do not give us an answer.…”

“…Actual taxonomies do not give us an answer. 29 A basic conceptual framework for a new classification was provided by a previous study. 29 It starts from the core meanings of ICTs lexicon, acquired through an etymological analysis.…”

“…29 A basic conceptual framework for a new classification was provided by a previous study. 29 It starts from the core meanings of ICTs lexicon, acquired through an etymological analysis. Before all, it considers a domain (telehealth) and a subdomain (telemedicine), denoting the semantic background that justifies the use of ICTs.…”

“…Actions 29 are as follows ( Figure 1): (1) Telecare-it occurs when someone advances a generic (health-related) request for assistance. A disease is not necessary to evoke such a request, and the other actor is not necessarily a health professional.…”