Digital hugs, letters, and humanized badges: interfaces between mediatization and face-to-face communication in times of pandemic

Abstract

This study assesses the interfaces of face-to-face communication with the mediatization process, based on the analysis of three projects that connect hospitalized patients, their families and health professionals in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. Hospital and NGO initiatives use tools such as video calls, text messages, letters and humanized badges to promote more personal communication, a feature of face-to-face communication. The methodology is case-study and the work concludes that the pandemic has re-signified some media logics in the cases evaluated.