eHealth literacy in chronic disease patients: An item response theory analysis of the eHealth literacy scale (eHEALS).
Samantha R Paige, Janice L Krieger, Michael Stellefson and 1 others
PMID 27658660WHAT IT FOUND
The 8-item eHEALS scale reliably measures one overall construct of eHealth literacy in chronic disease patients.
Scores averaged 30.34 out of 40, with most patients agreeing they have the confidence to find and use online health information.
Key findings
01The eHEALS scale demonstrated high internal consistency and reliability, supporting its use as a measure of a single construct of eHealth literacy.
02Chronic disease patients in this sample reported high levels of perceived eHealth literacy, with an average score of 30.34 on a 40-point scale.
03While the scale is reliable, it measures self-reported confidence rather than actual skill, and some items showed poor fit in response categories.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study measured self-reported confidence, not actual ability to find or understand health information. Participants were recruited from an online panel, which may not represent patients who do not use the Internet. The scale showed a tendency for patients to agree with all items, which might overestimate literacy skills. The study did not test if eHEALS scores predict actual health behaviors or outcomes.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The study was supported by a non-U.S. government grant.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume a high eHEALS score means the patient can accurately evaluate health information. The scale measures self-reported confidence, not actual skill, and previous research shows weak links between these scores and real-world internet use.