https://www.mdu.se/

mdu.sePublications
Operational message
There are currently operational disruptions. Troubleshooting is in progress.
Change search
CiteExportLink to record
Permanent link

Direct link
Cite
Citation style
  • apa
  • ieee
  • modern-language-association-8th-edition
  • vancouver
  • Other style
More styles
Language
  • de-DE
  • en-GB
  • en-US
  • fi-FI
  • nn-NO
  • nn-NB
  • sv-SE
  • Other locale
More languages
Output format
  • html
  • text
  • asciidoc
  • rtf
Promoting digital health literacy among immigrants in Sweden: opportunities and challenges for healthcare services
Mälardalen University, School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Health and Welfare.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-5865-5590
Mälardalen University, School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Health and Welfare.
Consulta Europa Projects & Innovat, Las Palmas Gran Canaria, Asturias, Spain.
Gen Directorate Care & Socio Hlth Care Coordinat H, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain.
Show others and affiliations
(English)In: Journal of Public Health, ISSN 2198-1833, E-ISSN 1613-2238Article in journal (Refereed) Epub ahead of print
Abstract [en]

The digital transformation in healthcare calls for an inclusive approach to promote digital health literacy, to increase access to digital healthcare services. The objective of this study was to explore the key barriers and opportunities experienced by individuals with immigrant backgrounds in Sweden, providing insights to strengthen digital health literacy across the European Union (EU).Subject and methodsA total of 20 participants with immigrant backgrounds in Sweden were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide developed as part of the EU-funded IDEAHL project. Interviews were conducted in group or individual settings. The data was transcribed and analyzed using qualitative content analyses.ResultsKey challenges to digital health literacy were identified, including a lack of support in navigating digital healthcare services. Participants highlighted the potential of digital support tools to simplify healthcare interactions, allowing patients to evaluate symptoms and concerns before consulting healthcare professionals. They also emphasized the importance of integrating cultural considerations to aid healthcare providers in delivering culturally sensitive care. Furthermore, participants noted difficulties in actively participating in shared treatment decisions, often due to cultural beliefs about deferring to healthcare professionals.ConclusionExpanding access to digital health services requires inclusive interventions to support the integration of minority communities into the digital health landscape. Addressing the diverse needs within immigrant populations is crucial to support equitable digital health access.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Springer Nature.
Keywords [en]
Digital health literacy, Digital transformation, Immigrants
National Category
Public Health, Global Health and Social Medicine
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:mdh:diva-71446DOI: 10.1007/s10389-025-02496-zISI: 001489320100001Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-105005099264OAI: oai:DiVA.org:mdh-71446DiVA, id: diva2:1960715
Available from: 2025-05-23 Created: 2025-05-23 Last updated: 2025-11-24Bibliographically approved

Open Access in DiVA

No full text in DiVA

Other links

Publisher's full textScopus

Authority records

Schölin Bywall, KarinNorgren, ThereseWamala Andersson, Sarah

Search in DiVA

By author/editor
Schölin Bywall, KarinNorgren, ThereseWamala Andersson, Sarah
By organisation
Health and Welfare
In the same journal
Journal of Public Health
Public Health, Global Health and Social Medicine

Search outside of DiVA

GoogleGoogle Scholar

doi
urn-nbn

Altmetric score

doi
urn-nbn
Total: 79 hits
CiteExportLink to record
Permanent link

Direct link
Cite
Citation style
  • apa
  • ieee
  • modern-language-association-8th-edition
  • vancouver
  • Other style
More styles
Language
  • de-DE
  • en-GB
  • en-US
  • fi-FI
  • nn-NO
  • nn-NB
  • sv-SE
  • Other locale
More languages
Output format
  • html
  • text
  • asciidoc
  • rtf