Daily Digital Device Use and eHealth Literacy Among Hospitalized Older Adults With Heart Failure: A Multicenter...

Many older adults lack eHealth literacy to effectively benefit from digital health technologies. We examined the association between daily digital device use and eHealth literacy among older adults hospitalized for heart failure (HF).

This prospective multicenter cohort study enrolled patients aged ≥65 years hospitalized for HF. eHealth literacy was assessed at discharge using the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS). Digital device use was evaluated based on daily usage time. Logistic regression analyses examined associations between digital device use and high eHealth literacy (eHEALS ≥26). In all, 219 patients (mean [±SD] age 82.0±7.9 years; 42.2% women) were analyzed. Device users had higher eHealth literacy than non-users. Daily digital device use >1 h/day was significantly associated with high eHealth literacy (odds ratio 13.01; 95% confidence interval 3.38-50.08). Among device users, high eHealth literacy was associated with a greater use of devices for emails or messaging, searching for health information, pedometer use, and administrative procedures (e-government services).

eHealth literacy among hospitalized older adults with HF was low but significantly associated with digital device use. Information-seeking and interactive digital behaviors were linked to higher eHealth literacy. Tailoring discharge education to individual eHealth literacy levels may be important for planning post-discharge self-management support.