Development of mHealth Literacy and Digital Health Equity Assessment Scale to Improve Health Equity

Abstract

Recently, the demand for using noncontact medical services using smartphones has increased in the medical field. However, there is a disparity in the use of digital devices because users have different capabilities, utilization levels, and access to technology. This study aims to develop a mHealth literacy and digital health equity assessment scale to promote health equity. ‘Digital Health Equity and Mobile Literacy Scale (DiHEMLS)’, an initial assessment tool, was derived by analyzing mHealth literacy and digital health equity-related measuring tools and assessment indicators. After that, Content Validity Index (CVI) was calculated for six patients with inflammatory bowel disease and six health experts, and the items were revised, and the initial tool items were reduced to 36 out of 78 items. Afterwards, a secondary CVI was calculated for eight experts, and the final assessment scale ‘mHealth Literacy and Digital Health Equity Scale (mLDiHES)’ consisting of 40 items was derived by adding six general characteristics items. ‘mLDiHES’ will be used to identify the degree of digital health imbalance. Using this assessment scale, it is possible to measure the degree of understanding and utilization of mHealth devices and healthcare services of users.