Learning About Digital Health Literacy

Digital health literacy is also called eHealth literacy. It means knowing how to use technology to find, understand, and use health information to make good choices about your health. It involves both cognitive and technology skills.

• Cognitive skills: This includes being able to understand health information. It also includes being able to decide if health information can be trusted.
• Technology skills: This includes being able to use devices like smartphones or computers. It also includes being able to use websites or apps comfortably.

Digital health literacy brings together different abilities that work with one another. These abilities help you find and use health information and digital health tools.

The six key abilities in digital health literacy are:

• Traditional literacy. This is being able to read, write, and understand words and numbers. It helps you take in health information and communicate your thoughts clearly.
• Information literacy. This is knowing how to search for information and find good sources. It also means being able to tell if the information can be trusted.
• Media literacy. This is being able to spot information that is fake, confusing, or one-sided. This includes things you see online or on social media.
• Computer literacy. This means knowing how to use computers, phones, websites, and apps. It includes being able to use tools like online health tools such as patient portals and video appointments.
• Health literacy. This is understanding medical words and health instructions. It helps you understand how healthcare works and make good decisions about your health.
• Science literacy. This is understanding basic science ideas and research. It includes knowing that what scientists learn can change as they discover new things.

Digital health literacy is becoming more important because healthcare now uses more online tools and services.

Many healthcare tasks now involve an online aspect. Examples are:

• Having video doctor visits (telehealth).
• Getting information from patient portals.
• Using health apps on your phone.
• Booking appointments.
• Messaging your doctor or care team.

People who struggle with digital health literacy may have a harder time getting the right information and the care they need. For instance, they may not be able to:

• Find and understand health information on the internet.
• Use online healthcare services.
• Talk with their doctors or nurses online.
• Keep track of their medicines and follow-up visits.
• Be as involved in their own healthcare choices.

There are many ways to improve your digital health literacy. You can start with your doctor and care team.

A great first step is talking to your doctor or nurse. You can:

• Ask questions when something you read online is confusing.
• Talk to them before making a health decision based on something you read online.
• Ask them to suggest good websites and resources you can trust.
• Ask for help using tools like patient portals, video visits, and health monitors.

Practicing with digital tools can help you feel more comfortable. Some ways you can practice include:

• Logging into your patient portal.
• Booking appointments and refilling prescriptions online.
• Looking up your test results online.
• Using your phone or computer for doctor visits.
• Using apps to track symptoms, medicines, or health goals.
• Using devices that track things like blood pressure or blood sugar.
• Sending messages to your doctor through a secure online system.

It is important to know if health information online can be trusted. You can do this using a 3-step process.

1. Check who wrote or paid for the information.
2. Make sure experts reviewed the information and that it is based on real research.
3. Check that the website keeps your personal information private.

Other tips for checking and comparing online sources include:

• Looking for information from trusted places, like government websites, hospitals, medical schools, and health nonprofits.
• Checking more than one reliable source.
• Talking to your doctor about what you find online.

Family, friends, caregivers, community groups, libraries, and senior centers can all help you learn how to use digital health tools and find good health information online. It is okay to ask for help when you need it.