First the relationship, then the technology: Healthcare professionals' perceptions on how digital health solutions impact the interaction with patients

This study shifts the focus from how DHS can be implemented to how they should be implemented to sustain meaningful patient-HCP interactions. The findings challenge the assumption that DHS can readily replace or supplement traditional care, emphasizing that face-to-face encounters remain essential for patient engagement, relational continuity, and professional fulfilment of HCPs. DHS implementation should therefore follow the establishment of trust and be guided by a tailored, human-centered approach that accounts for individual differences in patients' health status and digital literacy.