Digital Disruption in Healthcare: Balancing Innovation with Eth-ics

Abstract

This study aims to explore the ethical challenges and opportunities associated with digital disruption in healthcare, with a focus on data privacy, informed consent, equity, algorithmic bias, and regulatory frameworks. This qualitative study employed semi-structured interviews with 20 participants, including healthcare professionals, technology developers, policymakers, and patients. Participants were recruited through online platforms and selected using purposive sampling to ensure diverse perspectives. Data collection continued until theoretical saturation was reached, with interviews conducted via video conferencing. Thematic analysis was performed using NVivo software, with an inductive approach used to identify key themes. Coding was conducted independently by two researchers to enhance reliability, and discrepancies were resolved through consensus. Four main themes were identified: (1) Ethical Challenges in Digital Healthcare, including concerns about data privacy, informed consent, and algorithmic bias; (2) Impact of Innovation on Healthcare Delivery, highlighting improvements in access, diagnostic accuracy, and patient empowerment; (3) Stakeholder Perspectives on Ethics, revealing divergent views among healthcare professionals, technology developers, policymakers, and patients; and (4) Future Directions in Ethical Digital Healthcare, emphasizing the need for ethical guidelines, transparency, digital literacy initiatives, and inclusive governance models. Participants expressed both optimism about the potential of digital health technologies and concerns about their ethical implications. Digital disruption in healthcare offers significant opportunities to enhance patient care and improve outcomes but raises complex ethical challenges that require careful navigation. Addressing these issues will require robust data governance, equitable access, strategies to mitigate algorithmic bias, and collaborative regulatory frameworks. Future efforts should prioritize inclusivity and stakeholder engagement to ensure that digital health technologies align with ethical principles and promote equity in healthcare.