Development and validation of the eHealth Literacy and Use Scale (eHLUS) to measure medical app literacy

Abstract

Objectives

This study aimed to develop and validate the eHealth Literacy and Use Scale (eHLUS), a German assessment tool designed to measure health literacy in the context of using medical apps. This scale enhances traditional eHealth literacy tools by focusing on the unique requirements of medical app use, such as integration into everyday life, and self-efficacy.

Study design

This study employed a mixed-method design.

Methods

The development of the eHLUS involved a thorough literature review, expert interviews, and psychometric evaluation in a real-world environment.

Results

The eHLUS, consisting of 14 items across three dimensions, was designed for a nuanced assessment of eHealth literacy in medical apps. Psychometric evaluation data were gathered from 127 participants at two time points (n_t1 = 117; n_t2 = 62). The scale demonstrated excellent internal consistency, with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.913 and a McDonald's omega of 0.911. A mean completion time of 2.2 min underscores its practical applicability. Retest reliability was confirmed in 52 matched cases, affirming the scale's stability. Principal component analysis revealed three dimensions: autonomous use and technical access, eHealth engagement, and eHealth literacy.

Conclusion

The findings demonstrate the suitability of eHLUS for assessing individuals' abilities to effectively use medical apps, highlighting its importance in research and healthcare. The evaluation of the scale, along with expert interviews, underscores both its necessity and feasibility. The eHLUS captures eHealth literacy and its associated determinants within the context of medical app use, contributing to the optimization of patient care.