Assessing the eHealth Literacy Skills of Older Adults: A Preliminary Study

Manafò, Elizabeth; Wong, Sharon

doi:10.1080/15398285.2012.701163

Cited by 37 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…and the lowest item was item 6 (I know how to use the Internet to answer my questions about health), indicating that respondents knew how to find health‐related information on the Internet but were not confident in using that information to make health decisions. This finding is supported by Manafò and Wong (), who reported that older adults lack confidence in their ability to use health information retrieved from the Internet.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 65%

Validating an electronic health literacy scale in an older hispanic population

Aponte

Nokes

2017

Journal of Clinical Nursing

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 65%

Validating an electronic health literacy scale in an older hispanic population

Aponte

Nokes

2017

Journal of Clinical Nursing

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“…While there are many incentives to promoting patient use of online health resources, this study highlights the fact that some individuals fail to recognize distinctions in the quality and credibility of different online health information resources. Thus, it supports the need for continued research that assesses eHealth literacy [ 69 , 70 ] in a way that also points them to high-quality online health resources.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 54%

Patient Perspectives on Online Health Information and Communication With Doctors: A Qualitative Study of Patients 50 Years Old and Over

Silver¹

2015

J Med Internet Res

199

167

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BackgroundAs health care systems around the world shift toward models that emphasize self-care management, there is increasing pressure for patients to obtain health information online. It is critical that patients are able to identify potential problems with using the Internet to diagnose and treat a health issue and that they feel comfortable communicating with their doctor about the health information they acquire from the Internet.ObjectiveOur aim was to examine patient-identified (1) problems with using the Internet to identify and treat a health issue, (2) barriers to communication with a doctor about online health information seeking, and (3) facilitators of communication with a doctor about patient searches for health information on the Internet.MethodsFor this qualitative exploratory study, semistructured interviews were conducted with a sample of 56 adults age 50 years old and over. General concerns regarding use of the Internet to diagnose and treat a health issue were examined separately for participants based on whether they had ever discussed health information obtained through the Internet with a doctor. Discussions about barriers to and facilitators of communication about patient searches for health information on the Internet with a doctor were analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsSix higher-level general concerns emerged: (1) limitations in own ability, (2) credibility/limitations of online information, (3) anxiety, (4) time consumption, (5) conflict, and (6) non-physical harm. The most prevalent concern raised by participants who communicated with a doctor about their online health information seeking related to the credibility or limitations in online information. Participants who had never communicated with a doctor about their online health information seeking most commonly reported concerns about non-physical harm. Four barriers to communication emerged: (1) concerns about embarrassment, (2) concerns that the doctor doesn’t want to hear about it, (3) belief that there is no need to bring it up, and (4) forgetting to bring it up. Facilitators of communication included: (1) having a family member present at doctor visits, (2) doctor-initiated inquiries, and (3) encountering an advertisement that suggested talking with a doctor.ConclusionsOverall, participants displayed awareness of potential problems related to online health information seeking. Findings from this study point to a set of barriers as well as facilitators of communication about online health information seeking between patients and doctors. This study highlights the need for enhanced patient communication skills, eHealth literacy assessments that are accompanied by targeted resources pointing individuals to high-quality credible online health information, and the need to remind patients of the importance of consulting a medical professional when they use online health resources to diagnose and treat a health issue.

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“…There is a relationship between health literacy skills and health outcomes and evidence in several studies that health literacy levels are suboptimal and disparities in literacy are increasing (Bodie & Dutta, 2008). The 2011 European Health Literacy survey found almost half of Europeans to have limited health literacy (HLS-EU Consortium, 2011); similar levels have been identified in North America (Manafò & Wong, 2012). Those with low literacy incur higher health care costs, use more inpatient and emergency department services and tend to have inefficient mixes of health care services (Eichler, Wieser, & Brügger, 2009).…”

Section: Health Literacymentioning

confidence: 99%

Empowering or misleading? Online health information provision challenges

Dahl

Eagle

2016

MIP

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Purpose-Patient empowerment (PE) is a key public health policy tool globally which is seen as unproblematic, but contains a number of unwarranted assumptions and unrecognised challenges to achieving effective implementation. Further, the theoretical foundations for understanding the impact of persuasive health communications on PE are weak. The purpose of this paper is to review these factors and to highlight major areas of concern. Design-Firstly, the assumptions underpinning empowerment and the implicit theoretical foundations for active health information seeking behaviours are reviewed. This is then followed by a readability analysis of Internet-based material relating to two general medical conditions, four chronic medical conditions and six patient information leaflets which was conducted to explore issues relation to the provision and readability of online health information. Findings-The assumptions underpinning expectations of policy makers and health organisations regarding active health information seeking are shown to be problematic, with several potential impediments to effective PE implementation, including the fact that almost all of the online material reviewed is written in language too complex for the majority of the general public to comprehend, let alone act on. Practical Implications-Recommendations are made for guiding information seeking and a research agenda is outlined that would aid in strengthening theoretical underpinnings, expand knowledge and thereby help inform practice and policy debate regarding how patient empowerment can be improved. Originality / value-This paper contributes to understanding of the challenges of effective health communication in the digital age by highlighting the need for a greater understanding of online health information seeking and the impact of limited health literacy and numeracy.

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Assessing the eHealth Literacy Skills of Older Adults: A Preliminary Study

Cited by 37 publications

References 28 publications

Validating an electronic health literacy scale in an older hispanic population

Validating an electronic health literacy scale in an older hispanic population

Patient Perspectives on Online Health Information and Communication With Doctors: A Qualitative Study of Patients 50 Years Old and Over

Empowering or misleading? Online health information provision challenges

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