Researchers: Giora Kaplan¹

Background: eHealth literacy capabilities to locate and implement online information in order to address health issues traditionally have been traditionally examined in the context of the digital divide. However, recent data indicate that access gaps are consistently diminishing.

Objectives: Examine the levels of eHealth literacy of the public in a new perspective: To characterize in depth various levels of abilities among the population and to examine their ability to make informed health decisions.

Method: The research questions were examined through a population survey and a practical experiment that examined the abilities of people without a medical background to solve a health dilemma through online information.

Findings: Two-thirds of the population uses the Internet for health. Although some of them change their health routine, many report difficulties in assessing the reliability of information and applying it for health decisions. The Results of the experiment exposed people that tend to rely on their ability to derive an educated health conclusion from online information, but in practice it is not due to actual practical abilities, but mainly to self-efficacy perceptions.

Conclusions: Low abilities will not prevent a person from utilize online health information, so it is important to understand the situation regarding the ability of different people to use the Internet in a useful and informed form.

Recommendations: Doctors may establish an active role for themselves, in directing the patient to information search processes. Thus, they may strengthen their trust, increase their responsiveness to treatment, and lead them to beneficial use of the Internet would promote their health.

Research end date: 09/2017