What is a match between technology and citizen and how do you decide if the match is good?
Definitions: eHealth and digital literacy
Before we can discuss how you, as a healthcare professional, can assess the needs of the citizen and use your professional insights when choosing a suitable technology, we want to make sure that we have a common understanding of the definitions of some focal terms. What do we mean when we say eHealth and digital literacy?
eHealth
A relatively recent healthcare practice supported by electronic processes and communication. eHealth is defined as “the use of information and communication technology to support health and healthcare”. Increasingly, citizens are using digital technology to support their own health and healthcare decision-making. Ultimately, this positively empowers citizens in obtaining the ability to navigate in their health and well-being by the use of electronic communication.
Digital literacy
Refers to an individual’s ability to find, evaluate and communicate information through typing and other media on various digital platforms. It is evaluated by an individual’s grammar, composition, typing skills and ability to produce text, images, audio and designs using technology. Or said in another way: “the ability to use information and communication technology to find, evaluate, create and communicate information, requiring both cognitive and technical competencies”.
Source / References
- Survey of citizens’ digital competencies regional development and outcome from the DELIVER project
Questions for reflection
Discuss with your colleagues what you understand by the terms eHealth and digital literacy.
Why are these terms relevant when assessing matches between technology and citizen?
If possible, use examples from your professional experience in your reflections.
