Digital health tools have become increasingly common, offering patients convenient access to resources such as patient portals, treatment apps, and online appointment schedulers. However, a recent study conducted by UC San Francisco researchers sheds light on the disparities in comfort levels experienced by individuals when using these digital tools.
The study focused on caregivers of hospitalized children at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals and explored how factors such as language, education, and age could impact a person’s comfort with digital health tools. The researchers found that Spanish speakers, individuals with lower levels of education, and older adults reported feeling less comfortable with these tools.
Dr. Naomi Bardach, a professor of pediatrics at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals, emphasized the importance of ensuring that digital health tools are accessible and useful for people from diverse backgrounds to prevent further health disparities. She highlighted the need to include older adults, individuals with lower education levels, and those from specific racial, ethnic, or language backgrounds in the design and implementation of these tools.
The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, revealed that education was a significant factor influencing comfort levels with digital tools, followed by language proficiency. Individuals with a high school education or less reported lower scores in engagement, motivation, and feelings of safety and control when using digital health tools.
Caregivers from Latinx and Black communities scored lower on the measure of feeling safe and in control with digital tools, while rural caregivers showed higher motivation to use these tools. Older adults over 45 expressed less motivation and feelings of safety and control when using digital tools but felt capable of engaging with them if needed.
The research highlighted the importance of addressing disparities in digital health literacy to ensure that all individuals can effectively access and utilize these tools for tasks such as medication refills, activity tracking, or therapeutic games. Dr. Bardach stressed the need for providing alternatives for individuals who may not feel comfortable using digital tools.
As digital health tools continue to play a crucial role in healthcare delivery, it is essential to consider the diverse needs and comfort levels of users to promote digital health equity. By addressing these disparities, healthcare providers can ensure that all individuals have equal access to the benefits of digital health technologies.
