Association Between Korean Adults' Electronic Health Literacy and Active Participation in Health Decision-Making

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Patient Engagement
• Health Communication

Background:

• Electronic health literacy (eHL) is crucial for navigating digital health information.
• Understanding the relationship between eHL and patient participation is vital for improving healthcare outcomes.
• Korean adults' engagement in health decision-making requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between Korean adults' electronic health literacy and their active participation in health decision-making.
• To identify factors influencing active patient participation in healthcare interactions.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with 421 Korean adults (18+ years).
• Data collected included individual characteristics and electronic health literacy levels.
• Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, t tests, ANOVA, and binomial logistic regression.

Main Results:

• Each unit increase in electronic health literacy was associated with a 3.62 times higher likelihood of active participation in health decision-making.
• Higher education, use of websites and YouTube, perceived usefulness of online health information, and prior/desired patient participation were linked to increased engagement.
• Factors such as college education and perceived usefulness of online health information positively correlated with active participation.

Conclusions:

• Improving electronic health literacy is essential for fostering active patient participation in healthcare.
• Educational programs and interventions should focus on enhancing digital health literacy among adults.
• Healthcare providers should create an environment where patients feel comfortable expressing their health preferences and values.