Improving Health Literacy Through Digital Healthcare Technologies

Technology has the potential to significantly enhance health literacy, which refers to the ability to locate, comprehend, and utilize health information to make informed decisions.  By providing accessible tools and resources, technology can support individuals in understanding complex health information and empower them to make better health-related choices.  During Health Literacy Month, the AHRQ Digital Healthcare Research Program (DHR) is highlighting AHRQ-funded research that emphasizes the critical importance and potential of digital health technology in enhancing health literacy.  The stories below were recently published in the DHR Year in Review as part of a collection of 16 research stories.

Studying the Accuracy of a Symptom-Checker App in Diagnosing Strokes in a Real-World Setting

Rigorously evaluating a popular, patient-facing symptom-checker app will improve understanding around app safety, accuracy, and ability to prompt patients to seek care.

Read the Story

Advancing Patient-Centered Clinical Decision Support

Working closely with patients to design and implement clinical decision support is important.  The uptake of evidence into clinical practice depends on trust, interoperability, and awareness of patient preferences and goals.

Read the Story

To access our full portfolio of research focused specifically on health literacy, visit AHRQ Funded Projects.

AHRQ Digital Healthcare Research Program’s mission is to produce and disseminate evidence about how the evolving digital healthcare ecosystem can best advance the quality, safety, and effectiveness of healthcare for patients and their families.

Website: https://digital.ahrq.gov/
Grant Funding Opportunities: https://digital.ahrq.gov/ahrq-digital-healthcare-research-funding-opportunities
Contact: DigitalHealthcareResearch@ahrq.hhs.gov