Attitudes and digital health literacy mediate the relationship of digital information accessibility with intention for digital healthcare service use in patients with multiple myeloma: A cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the serial mediating effects of attitudes toward digital healthcare services (ATDH) and digital health literacy (DHL) on the relationship between accessibility of digital information (ADI) and intention to use digital healthcare services (IUDH) among patients with multiple myeloma (MM).

METHODS

A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted with patients with MM under outpatient follow-up at the cancer center of a university-affiliated hospital in South Korea. Data were collected between September and December 2023 from a convenience sample of 139 patients.

RESULTS

ADI had a significant direct effect on both ATDH (β = 0.39, p < .001) and DHL (β = 0.28, p < .001), with only DHL showing a significant direct effect on IUDH (β = 0.54, p < .001). Although ADI did not have a direct effect on IUDH (β = -0.05, p = .534), it indirectly influenced IUDH through the mediation of DHL alone (Effect = 0.06, 95%, CI = 0.02, 0.12) or in sequence with ATDH (Effect = 0.03, 95%, CI = 0.01, 0.06).

CONCLUSION

These findings emphasize the importance of DHL for facilitating the use of digital healthcare service (DHS) among patients with MM. To promote sustained engagement and the anticipated outcomes from DHS, it is essential to address patients' needs related to ADI, ATDH, and DHL. Healthcare providers and service developers should actively support patients in developing the competencies and resources necessary for effective use of DHS.