Development and Validation of a Revised Multidimensional Digital Health Literacy Scale: Secondary Analysis Using Cross-Sectional Data From the 2022 GetCheckedOnline Community Survey In British Columbia, Canada
This study confirms a multidimensional structure of eHEALS, identifying Information Navigation, Resource Appraisal, and Confidence in Use as key dimensions of DHL. This revised model enhances measurement precision, enabling more accurate identification of populations with limited DHL and informing the development of targeted, equity-oriented interventions. Future research should aim to confirm this multidimensional structure in more diverse populations and explore how distinct DHL domains influence access to digital health services in various contexts. Additionally, ongoing scale development must adapt to account for the role of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and social media algorithms in health care.
Authors
- Geoffrey McKee (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0329-2454)
- Nathan J. Lachowsky (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6336-8780)
- Hsiu-Ju Chang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0369-2407)
- Heather Pedersen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3019-7011)
- Devon Haag (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4955-1017)
- Lorie Donelle (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9276-8639)
- Daniel Grace (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9032-3959)
- Mark Gilbert (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5978-6843)
- Sofia Bartlett (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0699-2250)
- Ihoghosa Iyamu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0271-9468)
- Catherine Worthington (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3075-8229)
- Troy Grennan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8039-6513)
- Rodrigo Sierra-Rosales
- Pierce Gorun
Institutions
- University of British Columbia (CA)
- University of South Carolina (US)
- University of Toronto (CA)
- University of Victoria (CA)
- BC Centre for Disease Control (CA)
- Public Health Ontario (CA)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Medical Internet Research
- Published
- 2025-10-21
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.2196/78008
- Primary Topic
- Health Literacy and Information Accessibility
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00