Determining the digital health literacy and potential solutions to support people with complex chronic conditions to engage with digital models of care.

OBJECTIVE

To assess digital health literacy among patients with complex chronic conditions and to identify priority areas for enhancement.

METHODS

A mixed methods approach was used, integrating a: 1) quantitative assessment of digital health literacy using a modified version of the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS), and 2) qualitative focus groups to determine digital health literacy priority areas and potential solutions to help patients with chronic kidney disease and chronic liver disease.

RESULTS

Sixty-seven individuals completed the eHEALS survey and 15 participated in the focus groups. The median eHEALS score was 29.0 (IQR 24,32) out of a possible score of 40, with 58 % of participants scoring above the median. The highest scoring items of the eHEALS were related to knowledge of availability of digital health information (question 1) and use of digital devices (question 2), with 69 % and 63 % of participants scoring agree and strongly agree, respectively. The lowest scoring eHEALS items were the ability to assess digital information quality (question 7), and confidence in using digital devices (question 8), with 49 % and 39 % of participants scoring agree and strongly agree, respectively. Seven out of 10 eHEALS items were identified as priority areas for addressing digital health literacy in chronic conditions.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the challenges for digital health literacy for patients with complex chronic disease tend to relate to assessing information quality and confidence in using digital health.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Participant priorities also encompassed the ability to: utilize digital tools to seek health-related information, evaluate information credibility and quality, confidently use digital information, and recognize the significance of online information access. Several addressable solutions were suggested by participants, which focused on targeted education for healthcare providers and transparent endorsement of online health information supported and provided by the health service.