Role of electronic health literacy and insight into cancer among health workers and patients
A review
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22077341 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Yuehan Zhang (0000-0003-2197-8617, China Medical University), Zijing Wu (0000-0001-9563-8258, China Medical University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 14 |
| Pages | 1781759-1781759 |
| Publication date | 2026-05-29 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565 |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1781759 |
| PMID | 42293606 |
| OpenAlex | W7162793646 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 21 |
Background: Digital technologies in oncology require patients and health workers to possess adequate electronic health literacy (eHealth literacy). Yet, the extent to which this literacy influences cancer-specific insights, ranging from knowledge to clinical behavior, remains fragmented. Objective: This scoping review systematically mapped the literature on eHealth literacy across oncology populations and characterized its associations with cognitive, behavioral, evaluative, and psychological outcomes. Methods: Adhering to PRISMA-ScR, we searched PubMed and Scopus through December 15, 2025. We included English-language primary studies measuring eHealth literacy in oncology populations and linking it to outcomes like screening or adherence. Results: Among 65 included studies, 50% focused on patients, with limited attention to survivors (9.7%) or the workforce (6.5%). The eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS) was the dominant metric (66%), while performance-based instruments were rare. Evidence clustered heavily around proximal outcomes such as digital readiness and information appraisal. Conversely, distal endpoints, including adherence and quality of life, were underrepresented. While associations with information engagement were positive, evidence linking literacy to clinical behaviors remains sparse. Conclusion: eHealth literacy is a key determinant of digital engagement; however, the evidence base is limited by the predominance of cross-sectional designs, reliance on self-reported measures, and substantial heterogeneity across studies. Advancing the field requires longitudinal designs, objective assessments, and a focus on the oncology workforce
Digital health · Digital Literacy · eHealth · Health literacy · Information literacy · Literacy · MEDLINE · Workforce · Global Cancer Incidence and Screening · Health Literacy and Information Accessibility · Social Media in Health Education
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |