The obscured face in video consultations. A Levinasian analysis

Video consultations represent a relatively new way of delivering face-to-face consultation in the context of general practice. The aim of the present analysis is to examine how video consultations influence patients’ experiences of their ability to communicate their emotions, needs, and vulnerabilities, as well as their experiences with their general practitioner’s ability to respond to these. The empirical base consists of 43 semi-structured interviews with patients (23 women and 20 men), aged between 17 and 81 years old, who have used video consultation as part of their treatment for various health issues in general practice. Emmanuel Levinas’ theory of the face was used as an analytical and interpretative tool. The analysis showed that in video consultations, patients experience a digital obscuring of the face, i.e., of their emotions, needs and vulnerabilities. This complicates the GP’s ability to perceive their vulnerability, making it challenging to recognize the patients’ needs. Moreover, this obscuration hinders the patients’ capacity to connect to their own vulnerabilities, which can lead to a diminished awareness of their own suffering. However, this mechanism might help patients who wish to obtain shielding from their face and from difficult emotions. Overall, we argue that significant relational and ethical dimensions of care within the doctor-patient relationship in general practice may be challenged in video consultations. We propose integrating Buber’s dialogical principles with the present Levinasian analysis as it may offer a promising approach to enhancing relational and ethical dynamics in video consultations.