Digital health literacy is the ability to seek, find, understand, and appraise health information from electronic sources, and apply this knowledge to addressing or solving a health problem. It encompasses the intersection of health-literacy, media-literacy, and information-literacy within digital environments.
Core Competencies
- Navigation: Locating reliable health resources online.
- Evaluation: Appraising credibility and relevance of digital health content.
- Application: Using digital tools (eHR, apps, telehealth) to manage personal health.
- Communication: Engaging with healthcare providers via digital channels.
Recent Developments & Regional Context (2026)
Recent initiatives highlight the evolution of digital literacy from patient-facing skills to broader workforce capabilities.
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NHS Person-Centred Framework: The document Improving digital literacy - NHS outlines strategies developed by Health Education England in collaboration with the Royal College of Nursing. Key focuses include:
- Enhancing digital capabilities for nursing staff and healthcare workers in England.
- Aligning digital health education with person-centred care models.
- Addressing workforce digital readiness to support effective telehealth and remote patient engagement.
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Regional Policy Implications: While earlier frameworks focused heavily on patient autonomy in Australia and New Zealand, recent UK developments (2020-2026) emphasize institutional support structures and professional digital competency as prerequisites for equitable digital health access.