# Health Information Literacy as a Determinant of Digital Self-Efficacy

## TL;DR

The study shows that better health information literacy helps patients with chronic illnesses feel more confident using digital tools to manage their health.

## Contribution

The study introduces a new focus on critical and risk-conscious health information literacy and its link to digital self-efficacy in patients with chronic conditions.

## Key findings

- High health information literacy is associated with higher digital self-efficacy in patients with multiple sclerosis or epilepsy.
- The model explained over one-third of the variance in digital self-efficacy.
- The findings increase the generalizability of previous research on health information literacy and digital self-efficacy.

## Abstract

This brief report examines the association between health information literacy and digital self-efficacy (DSE) in patients with multiple sclerosis or epilepsy (pwMS/E). The focus is specifically on critical and risk-conscious aspects of health information literacy. The study used survey data (N = 287) collected from pwMS/E. The analysis comprises a principal component analysis and a regression analysis. In a model controlling age, gender and subjective anxiousness and/or depression, a high level of health information literacy was associated with higher DSE. The model explained over one-third of the variance in DSE. The found association between health information literature and DSE in a Finnish sample of pwMS/E increases the generalizability of the findings of the previous review study. Chronically ill patients with adequate health information literacy are confident in their ability to manage their illness, including on digital platforms.