eHealth literacy in emergency care: a scoping review

With the rise of online health information (OHI), eHealth literacy has become increasingly important. The e-health literacy framework (eHLF) categorizes key skills necessary for effective eHealth literacy. Patients' limited health literacy correlates with preventable, non-urgent emergency department (ED) visits, contributing to overcrowding, increased costs, and stress among healthcare professionals. However, the role of eHealth literacy in the ED remains unclear. Understanding its impact is essential to provide insight into overcrowding and internet use in the ED. This scoping review aimed to investigate eHealth literacy in emergency care.

A scoping review was conducted following the guidelines of the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). An initial literature search was conducted in March 2024, followed by a systematic literature search in May 2024 using the databases PubMed, CINAHL, and Ovid, supplemented by Google Scholar, reference lists, and library sources. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were defined based on the PCC mnemonic. After study selection, the studies were critically appraised by two researchers using JBI checklists. Data was extracted and presented both narratively and in tabular form.

Nine studies were evaluated, and results were categorized as "individual", "interaction", and "system" based on the eHLF. The primary objectives were to examine internet use before ED visits and its correlations with anxiety and cyberchondria - excessive online searching leading to unfounded concerns about physical health. Findings showed widespread internet use for health-related information, though most did not use it to decide whether to visit the ED. Some studies found increased searching correlated with anxiety and cyberchondria. Other aspects included the effect on the doctor-patient relationship, trust, access and understandability of OHI.

Internet use before ED visits is common and access to digital services is widespread. Some studies link increased internet searches to higher cyberchondria and impacts on the doctor-patient relationship. However, gaps remain in tailored digital devices and understanding eHealth literacy's association with demographic factors. Both patients and healthcare providers in the ED require education on using OHI. Health professionals should acknowledge internet use before ED visits and discuss online findings with patients. Government guidelines and support programs should help users make informed health decisions.