What are the roles of eHealth literacy and empowerment in self‐management in an eHealth care context? A cross‐sectional study

Abstract

AimsTo examine the relationship among eHealth literacy, empowerment and self‐management and the mediating effects of empowerment in diabetic kidney disease (DKD) patients in the eHealthcare context.BackgroundSelf‐management is an essential aspect of healthcare in delaying disease progression for DKD. In the eHealthcare era, health services providing self‐management are transforming. The ability and confidence of patients to use eHealth services is a critical issue that impacts the effectiveness of self‐management, but little is known about the role of eHealth literacy and empowerment in self‐management.DesignA cross‐sectional study guided by the STROBE.MethodsOverall, 127 Taiwanese patients were enrolled using convenience sampling. Data collection used structured questionnaires and chart reviews. Multiple regression was used to infer self‐management predictors, and SPSS PROCESS macro and bootstrapping verified the mediating effects.ResultsEmpowerment and eHealth literacy both showed significant positive correlations with self‐management. Empowerment was the main predictor of self‐management and had a complete mediating effect between eHealth literacy and self‐management.ConclusionIncreasing patients' eHealth literacy can improve empowerment and prevent health inequality issues. Healthcare providers should consider improving patients' eHealth literacy to enhance their self‐management.Relevance to Clinical PracticeHealthcare service systems need to create user‐friendly eHealthcare environments, and healthcare professionals can provide multifaceted instructions that fit patients' eHealth literacy levels to enhance their motivation and confidence in disease care, thus cultivating positive self‐management behaviours.ImpactThe popularity of eHealthcare services aimed at promoting self‐management behaviours is increasing. However, the level of eHealth literacy is an essential factor that affects the effectiveness of self‐management in the healthcare environment. In addition, empowerment is a major critical influence factor of self‐management and a completely mediating variable between self‐management and eHealth literacy. Consequently, healthcare providers should consider promoting patients' eHealth literacy to empower people using eHealthcare services for implementing self‐management.Reporting MethodThe Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in cross‐sectional studies (STROBE) checklist was used to ensure comprehensive reporting.Patient or Public ContributionPatients were diagnosed with DKD in the study hospital. Physicians and case managers transferred patients to research assistants who screened them for the inclusion criteria and invited them to participate in this study if they met the requirements. After participants signed informed consent, the research nurse encouraged participants to respond to the research questionnaire face to face.

Embracing digital health: German otolaryngology patients’ usage and prospects of digital information and communication technologies for cross-sectoral care

“…The results raise the hypothesis that older otolaryngology patients may need more education and training programs to improve digital literacy relevant to remote monitoring and telemedicine in cross-sectoral otolaryngology care and self-management of their health, which aligns with findings from several studies in different medical fields. 47 – 49 Although this study did not specifically focus on eHealth literacy, note that 77.9% of the participants expressed a desire for medical experts to review available online medical information. This underscores the importance of further research to evaluate the quality of health-related information accessible online and its potential impact on the quality and safety of cross-sectoral otolaryngology care.…”

Associations and gender differences between OHI-seeking behaviors and eHealth literacy among Chinese university students

“…The ability to find, evaluate, and use online health information may be affected by an individual’s electronic health literacy (eHealth literacy) level ( 2 ) , which ensures the effective use of health information. eHealth literacy is defined as “the ability to seek, discover, understand, and evaluate health information from electronic sources, and apply the acquired knowledge to solving or solving health problems.” ( 3 ) Studies showed that people with high eHealth literacy were more likely to seek health information and health knowledge ( 4 ) , participate in health behaviors and screening practices ( 5 ) , and had better self-management skills and interactions with doctors ( 6 ) .…”

“…eHealth literacy is defined as "the ability to seek, discover, understand, and evaluate health information from electronic sources, and apply the acquired knowledge to solving or solving health problems." (3) Studies showed that people with high eHealth literacy were more likely to seek health information and health knowledge (4) , participate in health behaviors and screening practices (5) , and had better self-management skills and interactions with doctors (6) .…”