E-health Literacy and the Impact of Telehealth on Treatment Compliance and Accessibility

TL;DR

This study examines how e-health literacy affects telehealth usage, treatment compliance, and healthcare access in the UAE.

Contribution

The study identifies a strong link between e-health literacy and improved telehealth outcomes in a specific regional context.

Findings

Higher e-health literacy correlates with better treatment compliance in telehealth.

Improved healthcare access is reported by those with higher e-health literacy.

83.9% of telehealth-aware participants showed better treatment plan compliance.

Abstract

Telehealth has become a transformative advancement in healthcare delivery, facilitating the remote provision of medical services and broadening healthcare accessibility. This study explores the relationship between e-health literacy, treatment compliance, and telehealth accessibility among users in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Employing a cross-sectional design, 400 adults from diverse demographic backgrounds were surveyed to assess their telehealth knowledge, treatment adherence, and perceived access to care. Results show significant associations between individual components of e-health literacy, and self-reported treatment compliance and healthcare accessibility. Participants with greater e-health literacy demonstrated significantly higher compliance with remote treatment plans and reported enhanced access to healthcare, particularly among individuals encountering physical or logistical challenges. Of the 199 participants familiar with the definition of telehealth, 167 (83.9%) noted improved compliance with remote treatment plans, while 178 (89.4%) indicated enhanced healthcare access. These results emphasize the critical role of e-health literacy in optimizing telehealth effectiveness and suggest that initiatives aimed at enhancing e-health literacy may further promote positive telehealth outcomes.