This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Better electronic health (e-health) literacy encourages young adult patients to visit doctors' offices rather than replace professional consultations with self-treatment. This is the conclusion of a new study published in the journal Open Medicine, titled "e-health literacy, health-seeking behaviors, and perceived ease of use of digital health systems in outpatients." The study surveyed 847 adult outpatients ages 18–43 at Gazi University Hospital in Ankara, Turkey.
The researchers assessed how e-health literacy shapes patients' search for remedies and their use of Turkey's national platforms, specifically the Central Physician Appointment System (MHRS) and Personal Health Record System (e-Nabız). Their skills were evaluated using the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS), where higher scores reflect greater proficiency. These results challenge the common assumption that e-health-literate patients tend to bypass traditional medicine by self-diagnosing and self-treating.
Higher e-health literacy was associated with both more online research and more visits to health care providers, and e-health-literate patients used the internet to prepare for and seek out professional care. Higher e-health literacy also made patients more likely to find government digital health apps easy to navigate. However, it was not related to traditional health habits, such as seeking home remedies or advice from friends and family, which continue to be driven by close social bonds and cultural traditions.
The study also showed how everyday demographics shape patient choices: Women used digital and professional health channels more than men, while higher education levels predicted more visits to medical professionals. In contrast, parents were far more likely to lean on home remedies and close personal networks before using e-health sources, and individuals in poorer health experienced greater difficulty navigating online health portals, highlighting how the burdens of ill health can compound digital barriers. The authors of the study underscored the need for targeted e-health literacy interventions, even among digitally engaged younger populations, to promote equitable access to health services and reduce digital disparities.
Cansu Özbaş et al., e-health literacy, health-seeking behaviors, and perceived ease of use of digital health systems in outpatients, Open Medicine (2026). DOI: 10.1515/med-2026-1523 Swati Mestri holds a bachelor's degree in Electronics Engineering and has worked as a content editor since 2019. She has experience editing research documents across technology, health care, and materials science, and has a particular interest in technology and space.
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