E-health literacy and mobile health application utilization among pharmacy students and intern pharmacists: a cross-sectional study

Digital health competency is increasingly essential in pharmacy education; however, the relationship between perceived eHealth literacy and mobile health (mHealth) application use among pharmacy trainees remains insufficiently explored. This study assessed perceived eHealth literacy levels and patterns of mHealth utilization among pharmacy trainees and examined the association between perceived eHealth literacy and self-reported recommendation of mHealth applications to patients. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among third- to fifth-year pharmacy students and intern pharmacists at Minia University. Perceived eHealth literacy was measured using the validated 8-item eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS; score range 8–40). Descriptive statistics and univariable binary logistic regression analysis were performed to examine the association between eHEALS score and self-reported recommendation of mHealth applications to patients. A total of 294 participants were included. Smartphone or tablet access was high (92.90%), and most participants reported using mHealth applications (87.80%). The mean eHEALS score was 28.10 ± 6.60, indicating moderate perceived eHealth literacy. Although mHealth applications were commonly used for drug-related information, only 39.50% of participants reported recommending them to patients, and awareness of institutionally available evidence-based resources such as Clinical Key was limited. In univariable binary logistic regression analysis, higher eHEALS scores were significantly associated with self-reported recommendation of mHealth applications to patients. For each 5-point increase in eHEALS score, the odds of reporting recommendation of mHealth applications increased (OR = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.2–4.0; p < 0.05). Pharmacy trainees demonstrate substantial engagement with digital health tools but exhibit moderate perceived eHealth literacy and limited self-reported recommendation of mHealth applications to patients. Integrating structured digital health competency training into pharmacy curricula is essential to enhance critical appraisal skills, promote safe implementation, and prepare future pharmacists for technology-enabled healthcare practice.