Technologies may change the relationship between physician and patient, challenge professional autonomy or otherwise interfere with professional ethics and values. The patient-physician relationship is traditionally based on mutual trust, confidentiality and professional autonomy so that individual treatment decisions can be made in the best interest of the patient. Technologies that interfere with core values and principles of medical and professional ethics challenge the professional integrity of the physicians or other health care professionals (eg. screening for drug abuse when use is denied). Technologies that align with professional ethics are more likely to be implemented successfully. For example, people may ask for the technology for many reasons, while the professionals may see them as unnecessary and even potentially harmful (e.g. antibiotics, sleep medicine, antidepressants, whole body MRI scans).
