Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40198098›Full record

ArticleJournal of medical Internet research2025

Choosing the Best Digital Health Literacy Measure for Research: Mixed Methods Study.

Charlotte Brun Thorup, Mika Uitto, Kerryn Butler-Henderson, Sarah Wamala-Andersson, Merja Hoffrén-Mikkola, Diana Schack Thoft, Lisa Korsbakke Emtekær Hæsum, Gabriela Irrazabal, Laura Pruneda González, Katja Valkama

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of medical Internet research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 17 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
17citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

17 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Pooled it
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  7. Review
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  10. Patient acceptance of video consultations in cardiology.European heart journal. Digital health · 2025
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  12. eHealth Literacy Assessment Instruments: Scoping Review.Journal of medical Internet research · 2025
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Charlotte Brun ThorupResearch Centre of Health and Applied Technology, University College of Northern Denmark, Aalborg, Denmark.ORCID 0000-0002-7519-2639
Mika UittoSeinäjoki University of Applied Sciences, Seinäjoki, Finland.ORCID 0009-0003-1654-1258
Kerryn Butler-HendersonSchool of Nursing, Paramedicine, & Healthcare Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, Australia.ORCID 0000-0002-6082-2108
Sarah Wamala-AnderssonSchool of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Health and Welfare, Mälardalen University, Västerås, Sweden.ORCID 0000-0001-6681-2827
Merja Hoffrén-MikkolaSeinäjoki University of Applied Sciences, Seinäjoki, Finland.ORCID 0000-0002-9207-9312
Diana Schack ThoftResearch Centre of Health and Applied Technology, University College of Northern Denmark, Aalborg, Denmark.ORCID 0000-0002-9819-9737
Lisa Korsbakke Emtekær HæsumResearch Centre of Health and Applied Technology, University College of Northern Denmark, Aalborg, Denmark.ORCID 0000-0002-4374-2368
Gabriela IrrazabalRMIT University, AU, Barcelona, Spain.ORCID 0000-0003-1611-9084
Laura Pruneda GonzálezHealth Research Institute of the Principality of Asturias (ISPA), Spain, Asturias, Spain.ORCID 0000-0002-5576-0686
Katja ValkamaSeinäjoki University of Applied Sciences, Seinäjoki, Finland.ORCID 0000-0002-2092-9429

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe global demographic shift towards longer life expectancy and complex health needs is increasing the number of people with chronic diseases, placing pressure on health and care systems. With the digitalization of healthcare, digital Health Literacy (dHL), or the use of digital skills in health, is gaining importance. It involves navigating digital health information, using digital tools effectively, and making informed health decisions. Measuring dHL can help identify gaps and develop strategies to improve dHL and health, ensuring citizens equal opportunity to participate in a digital healthcare system. The European project "The Improving Digital Empowerment for Active and Healthy Living (IDEAHL)" with the objective to empower European Union citizens to use digital instruments to take a more active role in managing their health and well-being creates the base for this overview.

objectiveThis paper aims to conduct an overview of existing assessment tools for measuring dHL and recommend strategies for choosing relevant assessment tools.

methodsThis study was carried out as a mixed method study initiated by a scoping review (10 scientific databases, 14 databases with grey literature and 14 predefined reports) in addition to three papers published after finalisations the literature search in IDEAHL, followed by a qualitative workshop study and a final analysis combining results.

resultsThe literature search resulted in 33 papers on dHL instruments, that was analyzed together with three recently published reviews and findings from a workshop with 13 champions (understood as professionals with expertise in HL and dHL) from five countries (Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Australia, and Germany) representing the health sector or health literacy research. Future tools should adapt to the latest trends and technologies, considering attitudes towards digital health and trust in its services. They should identify beneficiaries of digital health services, measure the impact of dHL interventions, and objectively evaluate functional skills. These tools should be evidence-based, validate instruments, interpret dHL results, and capture diverse experiences to reveal health behaviour changes.

conclusionsThe eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS), despite being the most frequently utilized tool, has limitations in scope and adaptability. Future tools need to reflect digital trends, encompassing individual skills. However, it is important to note that the 'adequacy' of dHL is context-specific and relies on healthcare systems and the technology provided, particularly the user interface. The focus should be on health improvement, not just elevating dHL levels. A comprehensive approach to dHL assessments addressing diversity and relevance is crucial. Ethical considerations in dHL, including privacy and data security, are important due to potential feelings of shame among those with low literacy levels.

Indexed as

Health LiteracyDigital TechnologyHumansScoping Reviews as Topicchronic diseasedigital health interventiondigital health literacydigital health servicedigitalizationdigital literacyEUhealthcarehealth literacyhealth technologyHorizon Europelife expectancytechnology

Identifiers

PMID40198098
PMCPMC12015337

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.