Exploring the Relationship Between Digital Health Literacy and Patterns of Telemedicine Engagement and Appointment Attendance Within an Urban Academic Hospital.

Abstract

Background: Telemedicine use has surged since the COVID-19 pandemic, offering a convenient way for patients to access healthcare. Whereas digital literacy (general comfort with and ability to use digital tools) is necessary to utilize telemedicine, digital health literacy is a subset of this, focusing on the ability to use digital tools to seek out, understand, and utilize health information. As such, barriers such as the lack of high-speed internet and limited digital health literacy can hinder telemedicine's effectiveness, particularly for historically marginalized populations with lower technological access.

Objectives: This study aims to characterize the relationship between baseline digital health literacy, appointment no-shows, and telemedicine usage in a Bronx population.

Methods: In a Bronx-based cohort, we assessed digital health literacy using e-HEALS and e-HeLiOS-SB, and health literacy with the Newest Vital Sign (NVS) instrument. Baseline sociodemographic characteristics (e.g. age, insurance type) were collected, and appointment no-show rates and telemedicine usage were calculated. Linear regression models were used to assess associations.

Results: Higher digital health literacy, private insurance (compared to Medicaid), and older age were associated with fewer no-shows. Higher video visit usage was also associated with fewer no-shows. Individuals at high risk of housing insecurity were less likely to use video visits, and higher phone visit usage was associated with patients experiencing financial resource strain. Digital health literacy was positively associated with White race and negatively associated with Medicare usage (compared to Medicaid).

Conclusion: Higher digital health literacy correlates with increased appointment attendance, indicating the need to address digital barriers in healthcare. Increasing telemedicine use may help reduce no-shows, and patient-specific strategies are needed to enhance digital health literacy and telemedicine effectiveness.