Digital health literacy of health care profession students

Background

Digital transformation in health and health systems is a chance and a challenge for health professionals irrespective of their field. To maximize the benefit for patients high digital health literacy is required. A requirement not represented in health professions’ curricula in Switzerland. Little is known on the digital health competencies of students, on their utilization and views of digital media in the context of health, thus a cross-sectional survey was performed at a School of Health Professsions in Switzerland.

Methods

All BSc. students (N = 1200; nursing, midwifery, occupational health, physiotherapy and health promotion) received an online questionnaire covering utilization of various information resources, views on digital health & media and the German eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS, score 0 - 40). Descriptive and group analyses were performed, further adjusted analyses will be run.

Results

453 students responded (female N = 368, male N = 26). Participation was 38% and highest in 1st students. Personal health information resources used most were: internet 82%, familiy&friends 70%, health professionals 66%, textbooks 40%. A majority rated digital media as important (66%) or rather important (30%) for their future professional activities. The overall eHeals-score was 28.6 (sd 4.93); critical evaluation and confidence in applying information scored lowest. Preliminary group analyses show significant increase by study year (1st 28.0, 2nd 28.9, 3rd 29.7, p = 0.01), while scores by gender or health profession were non-significantly different.

Conclusions

Almost all students in health professions use digital media for their own health information needs and consider digital media as highly relevant for their future career. Critical evaluation skills need to be strenghtend. Digital Health Literacy is only slightly higher in 3rd year students. Longitudinal data are needed to differentiate cohort from learning effects.

Key messages

Digital media are increasingly important in health systems, a view shared by future health professionals. Data indicate only a small increase of digital health literacy across three years of study. Curricula should include digital health competencies to ensure a highly digitally skilled health work force.