eSEARCH©: A Tool to Promote the eHealth Literacy Skills of Older Adults

Abstract

The eSEARCH© eHealth literacy tool aims to help older adults (aged 55 and over) feel more confident in searching, finding, evaluating and using online health information. This study used an experimental pre- and post-test between-groups design to explore the research hypothesis that the eSEARCH tool will improve older adults' perceived confidence in their eHealth literacy skills. Sixty seven older adults participated. Participants in the experimental group were more likely to identify a perceived positive change in the eHealth literacy domains compared with participants in the control group. eSEARCH demonstrates promise in promoting older adults confidence in their perceived eHealth literacy skills. Additional research is required to promote the use and familiarity of eSEARCH in a larger group of older adults with measurements of longer-term outcomes.

KEYWORDS:

• eHealth literacy skills
• health promotion
• older adults

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge Ryerson University's 50 + programs for older adults and Better Living Health and Wellness Centre for supporting the recruitment for this study. The authors would also like to acknowledge the Faculty of Community Services, Ryerson University for the financial support of E. Manafò's Research Associate position and Angela-Pavarin DeLuca for her work retrieving relevant literature to support this manuscript.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Elizabeth Manafò

Elizabeth Manafò, MHSc, RD ([email protected]) is Research Associate, and Sharon Wong, PhD, RD ([email protected]) is Associate Professor, School of Nutrition, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5B 2K3.