Visualism and technification*the patient behind the screen

摘要

At stake in this study is the patient’s credibility. The Cartesian philosophical standpoint, which holds sway in westernnthinking, questions with scepticism whether the reported symptoms are ‘‘real.’’ Do they reside in the body, or are theynmentally concocted. However, from the caring perspective any symptom must be both listened and attended to in its ownnright, not just scrutinized as evidence for an accurate diagnosis.nIn cognitively and emotionally complex high-tech units caregivers are juggling a precarious handful of cards. Technicalntasks take precedence or have more urgency than caring behaviour. Assuming an irremediable tension between objectu0002nsubject and careu0002cure in nursing is futile dualism. By addressing the essence of technology*the non-neutral and highlynvisual technology*this paper aims to find, from a philosophical point of view, a more comprehensive understanding for thendominance visualism and technification within intensive care.nScreens give us access to vital signs. Screens record numbers and lines that relate to a graph and afford superfine spikedn‘‘readings.’’ However, the most relevant vital signs may be missing.