Health · Medical Research · 7 hrs ago
Study links e-health literacy to more doctor visits among young adults
A study of 847 outpatients aged 18–43 in Ankara, Turkey examined how people use online health information and services.
Researchers found that stronger e-health skills were linked to more doctor visits, not less.
People with higher skills also did more online research and used it to prepare for professional care.
They were more likely to find Turkey’s government health apps easy to use.
Online information did not replace professional advice for these patients.
Women and people with more education used professional health services more, while parents more often turned first to home remedies or people close to them.
People in poorer health had more difficulty with online portals, pointing to barriers that targeted digital health support could help address.
A study found that young adults with higher e-health literacy made more visits to healthcare professionals as well as doing more online health research.
The researchers surveyed 847 outpatients aged 18–43 at Gazi University Hospital in Ankara, Turkey.
Participants with stronger e-health literacy were more likely to find Turkey’s government digital health apps easy to use.
The study found no link between e-health literacy and traditional health habits such as using home remedies or seeking advice from friends and family.
The authors called for targeted e-health literacy interventions to support equitable access to health services.
- Who
- Researchers studying 847 outpatient adults aged 18–43 at Gazi University Hospital.
- What
- The study linked higher e-health literacy with more online research and more visits to healthcare professionals.
- When
- The article was published on October 19, 2026. The survey date is not stated.
- Where
- Gazi University Hospital in Ankara, Turkey.
- Why
- The researchers examined how e-health literacy relates to health-seeking behavior and use of digital health systems.
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- Survey participants
- 847 outpatient adults
- Age range
- 18–43
- Study location
- Gazi University Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
- Journal
- Open Medicine
- DOI
- 10.1515/med-2026-1523