Digital Literacy and E-Health Engagement in Spain: Insights From a Survey to Individuals With Thrombosis Risk

OBJECTIVES: To investigate how well patients with thrombosis risk can engage with the healthcare system using the existing digital tools, and to understand their preferences.

METHODS: A survey was conducted to a sample of 200 people with thrombosis risk, during September 2023. The survey was administered via computer-assisted web interviewing by health professionals at 400 pharmacies across Spain. Results were stratified by respondent’s sex and age.

RESULTS: Almost three out of four surveyed individuals with thrombosis were aged ≥60 years (72.0%). The survey included a similar number of women and men (50.5% vs 49.5%) and similar age distribution. General practitioners were the usual point-of-contact of patients for the management of thrombosis risk (69%). Despite the available digital tools, 65% of the surveyed individuals scheduled their doctor appointments in-person. Fewer than 1 in 6 people scheduled their appointments through a mobile app (13.0%), a percentage that varied between 33.0% in those aged <40 and 8% in those aged >70 years. Regarding the type of medical consultation, 59% had only face-to-face consultations with their doctor, 18% had only telephone consultations, 18% had both types, and 5% consulted with their doctors through other channels too. Only 21.0% of those surveyed reported that they could easily handle technology (video-calls, mobile apps, and internet in general), a percentage that ranged between 61% in those aged <40 and 9% in those aged >70 years. Most patients relied on healthcare professionals to keep up to date on the news about the disease, with 20.5% reporting the use of other sources, namely the internet (8.5%), leaflets from their healthcare center (8.0%), patients’ associations (1.5%), and others (3.0%).

CONCLUSIONS: Increasing digital literacy among people with thrombosis risk es is necessary for both the patients and healthcare system to fully benefit from the advancements in e-health engagement policies in Spain.