Health is a fundamental aspect of human life. It shapes how people live, work, learn, and participate in society. At the same time, experiences of health and illness are increasingly influenced by technologies that may support care, diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, and everyday wellbeing.

A sociotechnical perspective views health as shaped through the interaction of people, technologies, organizations, and social contexts. Rather than treating technologies as neutral tools, this perspective examines how health technologies are designed, implemented, used, and adapted in practice.
Today, digital technologies play an increasingly important role in health and healthcare. Electronic health records, artificial intelligence, telehealth services and health applications influence how care is delivered, how health data is managed, and how individuals engage with their own health.

A sociotechnical perspective helps us understand these dynamics. It draws attention to:

• How technologies shape healthcare practices, decision-making, and patient experiences
• How healthcare professionals, patients, and caregivers adapt technologies to local needs and circumstances
• How organizational, professional, and regulatory contexts influence the development and use of health technologies
• How technological change can create both opportunities and challenges related to access, inclusion, trust, and quality of care

This perspective also highlights that health technologies do not operate in isolation. Their effects depend on how they are integrated into existing healthcare systems, professional practices, and everyday lives.

For example:

• Digital health platforms can improve access to health information and healthcare services. At the same time, their use depends on factors such as digital skills, organizational support, and the needs of different user groups.
• Artificial intelligence is increasingly explored as a tool for supporting diagnosis, treatment planning, and administrative tasks. However, its role and impact depend on how it is implemented, governed, and used in healthcare practice.

By studying health from a sociotechnical perspective, we gain insight into how technologies shape health and healthcare, and how people shape technologies through their everyday use. Understanding these interactions helps us better understand ongoing transformations of health and healthcare in a digital society.