Defining health and digital health literacy among caregivers in paediatric rehabilitation: a mixed-methods study

Parents of children with special needs (CSN) play a pivotal role in the implementation and success of paediatric rehabilitation programmes. This study provides a comprehensive investigation into the health and digital health literacy of these parents, with a specific focus on understanding their health beliefs regarding their children's rehabilitation.

The study comprised a sample of 108 parents who completed an online survey. This survey included a sociodemographic questionnaire, the 14-item Health Literacy Scale and the Digital Health Literacy Instrument. Furthermore, semistructured interviews were conducted with 14 parents and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

The quantitative findings revealed significant disparities in health and digital health literacy based on gender, education level, income and place of residence. The analysis of the qualitative data resulted in the identification of five core themes: (1) the diagnostic process and access to information, (2) sources of information, (3) rehabilitation services and perceptions, (4) digital health literacy and social media use and (5) digital inequities in information access.

Health and digital health literacy have the potential to significantly influence parents' participation in paediatric rehabilitation as well as their beliefs and experiences concerning children's rehabilitation programmes. The findings of this study underscore the significance of the implementation of more accessible, equitable and parent-centred rehabilitation support strategies.