Digital literacy as a potential barrier to implementation of cardiology tele-visits after COVID-19 pandemic: the INFO-COVID survey.
Giuseppe Boriani, Anna Maisano, Niccolò Bonini, Alessandro Albini, Jacopo Francesco Imberti, Andrea Venturelli, Matteo Menozzi, Valentina Ziveri, Vernizia Morgante, Giovanni Camaioni, Matteo Passiatore, Gerardo De Mitri, Giulia Nanni, Denise Girolami, Riccardo Fontanesi, Valerio Siena, Daria Sgreccia, Vincenzo Livio Malavasi, Anna Chiara Valenti, Marco Vitolo
Abstract
BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the implementation of telemedicine has represented a new potential option for outpatient care. The aim of our study was to evaluate digital literacy among cardiology outpatients. METHODS: From March to June 2020, a survey on telehealth among cardiology outpatients was performed. Digital literacy was investigated through six main domains: age; sex; educational level; internet access; availability of internet sources; knowledge and use of teleconference software programs. RESULTS: . 78 years old, respectively) and with a higher educational level. Age and educational level were associated with non-use of internet (age-per 10-year increase odds ratio (OR) = 3.07, 95% CI: 2.54-3.71, secondary school OR = 0.18, 95% CI: 0.12-0.26, university OR = 0.05, 95% CI: 0.02-0.10). CONCLUSIONS: Telemedicine represents an appealing option to implement medical practice, and for its development it is important to address the gaps in patients' digital skills, with age and educational level being key factors in this setting.