Transforming the Doctor–Patient Relationship in the Era of Digital Self-Diagnosis: A Medical Ethics and Islamic Perspective

Abstract

The development of digital technology has transformed the way people obtain health information. Easy access through the internet, social media, health applications, and artificial intelligence-based technologies has encouraged the emergence of digital self-diagnosis, referring to individuals’ efforts to understand or estimate their health conditions based on digital sources. Although this practice enables individuals to become more active in understanding their health, digital information cannot always replace medical diagnosis, which requires professional examination and clinical judgment from healthcare professionals. This article aims to discuss the transformation of doctor–patient relationships resulting from digital self-diagnosis and examine this phenomenon from the perspectives of medical ethics and Islam. The method used is a literature review by analyzing relevant sources related to digital self-diagnosis, health technology, doctor–patient relationships, medical ethics, and Islamic perspectives. The findings indicate that digital self-diagnosis increases patient involvement in health consultations but does not eliminate the role of physicians in validating information, providing clinical interpretation, and assisting medical decision-making. From an Islamic perspective, the principles of tabayyun and seeking guidance from knowledgeable experts emphasize the importance of verifying information before making health-related decisions.