Disparities in digital health use among citizens in the Netherlands: insights and targeted solutions

Abstract The utilization of digital health services is thought to improve the efficiency, quality, and accessibility of healthcare. To realize this potential, these services should be sufficiently accessible to every citizen. However, not everyone has sufficient skills to use digital services. In the Netherlands about 3 million Dutch citizens (approximately 20% of the population, aged 12 years and older) lack basic digital skills. Consequently, equal accessibility of digital care needs to be improved. Since 2013, the Netherlands Institute of Health Service Research (Nivel), along with other Dutch research institutes, has continuously monitored digital health utilization among the general population and patients with chronic diseases in The Netherlands through (bi-)annual surveys. This monitoring shows that digital health utilization among these groups has steadily increased in the past years. However, considerable variation in use exists among people with different educational levels and ages. Findings generally indicated lower utilization of digital health services among older adults (65+ years) and individuals with lower education, compared to younger (18-39 years) and higher-educated individuals. Furthermore, disparities in the utilization of some digital services also exist between individuals from the general population and patients with a chronic disease. In the Netherlands, targeted policy interventions aim to support citizens with lower levels of digital skills, thereby enhancing their access to digital health services. A successful example is the provision of free digital skills courses offered through local libraries. Participants reported improvements in both their digital competencies and confidence following course completion. This workshop thereby provides insights in the accessibility of digital health services across various population groups in the Netherlands and discusses a targeted successful solution for improved inclusive digital healthcare.