THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US: TELEMEDICINE, TRUST, AND THE TEXTURE OF CARE

This thesis examines how telemedicine, a form of healthcare that is mediated by information and communication technology, has reshaped the contours of the relationship between a physician and a patient—particularly in the management of chronic illnesses. Through interviews with five physicians across internal medicine, gastroenterology, and community health, I explore how clinicians are navigating a new hybrid model of care, where virtual meetings increasingly take the place of, or exist alongside, in-person interactions. While much of the existing literature on telemedicine focuses on technological infrastructure or on patient outcomes and access to care, this project delves into the felt experience of care from the point of view of the physician, which also inherently touches on the lived experience of the patient. How is the sacred relationship between a doctor and a patient affected when the two no longer share the same physical space? Rooted in medical anthropology, Science, Technology, and Society (STS) studies, and narrative medicine, my project examines the nonverbal and narrative dimensions of clinical encounters, highlighting how physicians and patients struggle and succeed in maintaining a sense of connection across digital divides. I have woven lyrical interludes throughout my analytical chapters that reflect on healing, embodiment, and the value of care as I work to contribute to the evolving conversation about what it means to offer healthcare in an increasingly digital world. I argue that telemedicine should not be framed as purely a loss or a gain in the realm of medicine but should instead be analyzed as a tool that requires intentional, context-specific calibration. When guided by empathy, patient-centeredness, and attentiveness, virtual care can help extend the physician’s ability to care for their patients without abandoning the core humanism of medicine.