Experts’ views on future digital health literacy competencies for citizens

Abstract

The digital transformation of health is progressing rapidly worldwide, and citizens’ digital health literacy needs to keep pace with technological advancements. To guide future research and interventions, this study aimed to identify which digital health literacy competencies are expected to show the greatest increase in importance for citizens over the next 10 years. In this study, Finnish experts in digital health (n = 29) employed a three-round Delphi method to identify which competencies required to promote and maintain good health and wellbeing through digital technology are expected to show the greatest increase in importance over the next 10 years. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used. The experts identified 20 competencies expected to show the greatest increase in importance. The top four included the ability to adapt to and embrace technological advances and new practices, use electronic identification, evaluate the reliability of digital information and sources, and share and manage personal information safely across various online platforms. Based on the findings, the digital health literacy competency requirements for citizens are likely to expand over the next 10 years. Citizens will increasingly be required to adapt to technological advances, use electronic identification, evaluate and apply digital health information, protect personal privacy, and interpret and act on personal health data. They will also be required to navigate and access digital healthcare services, communicate effectively in real time digital interactions, manage healthcare appointments and digital documents, interact appropriately with AI tools, and maintain healthy digital habits. These findings should be taken into account when developing digital health literacy models, interventions, policies, and assessment tools.