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Ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of virtual agents and virtual reality in healthcare

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  • Rudschies, Catharina
  • Schneider, Ingrid

Abstract

Virtual agents (VAs) and immersive virtual reality (VR) applications broaden the opportunities for accessing healthcare by transposing certain processes from the analogue world into a virtual realm. While these innovations offer a number of advantages including improved access for individuals in diverse geographic locations and novel therapeutic options, their implementation raises significant ethical, social, and legal implications. Key considerations pertain to the doctor-patient relationship, privacy and data protection, justice, fairness, and equal access as well as to issues of accountability, liability, and safety. This paper conducts a comprehensive review of the existing literature to analyse the ethical, social, and legal ramifications of employing VAs and VR applications in healthcare. It examines the recommended strategies to mitigate potential adverse effects and addresses current research gaps in this domain.

Suggested Citation

  • Rudschies, Catharina & Schneider, Ingrid, 2024. "Ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of virtual agents and virtual reality in healthcare," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 340(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:340:y:2024:i:c:s0277953623008407
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116483
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nahid Rahimipour Anaraki & Meghraj Mukhopadhyay & Margo Wilson & Yordan Karaivanov & Shabnam Asghari, 2022. "Virtual Healthcare in Rural and Remote Settings: A Qualitative Study of Canadian Rural Family Physicians’ Experiences during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-11, October.
    2. Hassane Alami & Pascale Lehoux & Sara E. Shaw & Chrysanthi Papoutsi & Sarah Rybczynska-Bunt & Jean-Paul Fortin, 2022. "Virtual Care and the Inverse Care Law: Implications for Policy, Practice, Research, Public and Patients," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-16, August.
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