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Digital Health Literacy and Tool Adoption in Postoperative Care in a Safety-Net Hospital Population: Mixed Methods
Christopher Awad1, Alexander Jakub Martinek2, Chunhao Zou3
1Department of Emergency Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States.
JMIR Human Factors
|February 23, 2026
Summary
Digital health tools show promise for safety-net populations, with patients confident in finding health information online. However, a gap exists in using digital tools for health decision-making, requiring targeted support.
Area of Science:
- Digital Health
- Health Informatics
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Limited research exists on digital health literacy and tool adoption in safety-net hospital populations.
- Understanding these factors is crucial for developing effective digital health solutions for underserved communities.
Purpose of the Study:
- Evaluate digital health literacy in postoperative patients at a safety-net hospital.
- Assess technology adoption readiness and examine patient-reported capabilities.
- Explore relationships between digital health literacy and demographic factors.
Main Methods:
- Mixed methods study with 71 postoperative patients and 29 healthcare providers.
- Utilized a modified eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS) and demographic questionnaire.
- Conducted usability testing of the PocketDoc digital health prototype.
Main Results:
- 69% of patients felt confident finding health resources online, but only 49% felt confident using them for decision-making.
- Digital health literacy did not correlate with age or education level.
- Patients and providers rated the PocketDoc prototype highly for ease of use and intuitiveness.
Conclusions:
- Digital health tools may be more feasible in safety-net settings than previously assumed.
- A gap exists between finding health resources online and using them for decision-making.
- Targeted support is needed to translate digital capabilities into effective health management skills.
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