From Zoom exercise classes and trivia nights to streaming music and taking online courses, my 97-year-old grandmother’s life has been enriched by technology. While these tools bring her joy and connection, a patient portal that’s difficult to navigate or a home monitoring device that doesn't consider visual, hearing, and sensory impairment can leave her feeling helpless and hopeless. Her experiences, and my own, have made me acutely aware of our opportunities for improvement in digital literacy and accessibility.
In today's digitally driven world, the capacity to seek, find, understand, and appraise health information from electronic sources and apply that knowledge to address or solve health problems is essential for engaging patients and optimizing healthcare delivery. Unfortunately, a significant portion of the population struggles with digital health literacy, and factors like race, income, geography, disabilities, and age have a critical impact on the digital divide. Research shows that 33% of Americans lack basic digital skills (with 50% of Black workers and 57% of Hispanic workers falling into this category), and 40% of people in Europe face challenges with digital literacy.
This digital divide exacerbates existing health disparities and hinders the advancement of patient-centered care. By addressing the digital divide and empowering patients and providers, we can create a truly patient-centered and effective healthcare system.
Digital barriers for patients and providers
Patients grapple with many issues, including limited access to technology and the internet, difficulty navigating complex healthcare websites, and concerns, or unawareness, about privacy and security. Providers also need more training in digital tools and more time and resources for patient education. We’re quickly advancing beyond the capacity of our current model of education. It’s no longer adequate to teach children digital skills in high school and then launch them into the world with the expectation they’ll be able to keep up with the exponential growth in technology. To truly tackle the problem of digital illiteracy, we must develop accessible forums for ongoing education.
The ideal state for health IT literacy
A digitally literate population is fundamental to realizing the full potential of patient-centered care. In an ideal world, patients would confidently access and use digital health tools, effectively communicate with providers, and understand the information they receive. Providers would be equipped to use digital platforms to enhance patient education, engagement, and care coordination.
Building a digitally literate healthcare ecosystem: strategies for success
To achieve this ideal scenario, a multi-faceted approach is necessary. Healthcare organizations, government entities, and other community resources must collaborate to invest time and money into patient education programs, develop user-friendly digital platforms, and ensure equitable access to technology. Providers need continuous training in digital communication and tools to support patient engagement. Systematic solutions can help us make meaningful strides forward, for example:
- A student group at the University of Texas at Austin provides free health technology literacy workshops for elderly people.
- Massachusetts announced $20 million in grants to support digital equity in healthcare.
- Mount Sinai Health System partnered with the New York Public Library to offer patients a free telehealth education program that can be accessed in-person or remotely.
- Canada Health Infoway has developed a collection of free resources to help patients learn about the digital healthcare services available in Canada.
- The Government of Canada is committed to connecting 98% of Canadians to high-speed Internet by 2026 and 100% of Canadians by 2030.
Additionally, investments in AI and automation tools could support medical professionals struggling with the overwhelming demands of increased digital communication. This technology can enable more timely responses to patients’ questions, more efficient monitoring of health conditions, and help reduce clinician stress and burnout.
Working together for digital health literacy
Prioritizing digital health literacy is essential for achieving optimal patient outcomes and advancing the healthcare landscape. The journey requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders, inside and outside of the healthcare industry. By working together, we can empower patients, enhance provider-patient communication, and improve the overall health and well-being of our communities.
Want more practical strategies for advancing patient-centered care across your organization? Read our free e-book, “Patient-centered excellence for a new era of care: a transformation guidebook across all healthcare initiatives.”