Abstract
Objectives
Digital health technologies have potential to improve (preventive) healthcare, but not everyone benefits equally. Here, digital literacy, self-efficacy, and support appear to be important factors in the healthcare context. To support the digital transition in healthcare optimally, this study aims to identify explanatory factors of digital literacy, self-efficacy, and desired support among healthcare professionals, patients, and their informal caregivers.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was performed among healthcare professionals (n = 1372) and patients and their informal caregivers (n = 539). The survey assessed enthusiasm for digital developments, digital literacy, self-efficacy, the way people seek support (support patterns), desired support, and demographics. Multiple linear regressions identified explanatory factors for digital literacy and self-efficacy, and binomial logistic regressions examined the factors related to the support needs.
Results
Among both groups, digital literacy was explained by self-efficacy, enthusiasm, the independent support pattern, and age. Among healthcare professionals, additional factors included desired support, gender, type (e.g., nurses and paramedics), and the help-seeking support pattern. Self-efficacy was explained by digital literacy, enthusiasm, and the independent support pattern in both groups, complemented by desired support and age for professionals. Finally, support needs were explained by self-efficacy, age, and type for both groups. Among professionals, digital literacy and support patterns were also found to be explanatory. Participants expressed a preference for support from the hospital with new digital developments (56.3% of patients/caregivers, 49.0% of professionals), ideally through digital coaches, videos, and help desks.
Practice implications
Individuals with higher age, lower digital literacy, lower self-efficacy, and those seeking social support to solve technology-related problems may be more likely to experience support needs. To enhance accessibility, it may be especially relevant to consider support strategies for these individuals.
Conclusions
Efforts to provide adequate support could enhance digital literacy and self-efficacy, thereby contributing to self-reliance and reduced support needs.
Digital health technologies have potential to improve (preventive) healthcare, but not everyone benefits equally. Here, digital literacy, self-efficacy, and support appear to be important factors in the healthcare context. To support the digital transition in healthcare optimally, this study aims to identify explanatory factors of digital literacy, self-efficacy, and desired support among healthcare professionals, patients, and their informal caregivers.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was performed among healthcare professionals (n = 1372) and patients and their informal caregivers (n = 539). The survey assessed enthusiasm for digital developments, digital literacy, self-efficacy, the way people seek support (support patterns), desired support, and demographics. Multiple linear regressions identified explanatory factors for digital literacy and self-efficacy, and binomial logistic regressions examined the factors related to the support needs.
Results
Among both groups, digital literacy was explained by self-efficacy, enthusiasm, the independent support pattern, and age. Among healthcare professionals, additional factors included desired support, gender, type (e.g., nurses and paramedics), and the help-seeking support pattern. Self-efficacy was explained by digital literacy, enthusiasm, and the independent support pattern in both groups, complemented by desired support and age for professionals. Finally, support needs were explained by self-efficacy, age, and type for both groups. Among professionals, digital literacy and support patterns were also found to be explanatory. Participants expressed a preference for support from the hospital with new digital developments (56.3% of patients/caregivers, 49.0% of professionals), ideally through digital coaches, videos, and help desks.
Practice implications
Individuals with higher age, lower digital literacy, lower self-efficacy, and those seeking social support to solve technology-related problems may be more likely to experience support needs. To enhance accessibility, it may be especially relevant to consider support strategies for these individuals.
Conclusions
Efforts to provide adequate support could enhance digital literacy and self-efficacy, thereby contributing to self-reliance and reduced support needs.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 109310 |
| Number of pages | 25 |
| Journal | Patient Education and Counseling |
| Volume | 142 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 18 Aug 2025 |
Sectorplan keywords OU
- OW/PSY Human factor in new technologies (sectorplan)