Background: Arthroplasty is a high-volume but costly treatment option for advanced osteoarthritis. Health literacy and patient education are modifiable factors that can improve patient outcomes in arthroplasty. Digital technologies show potential as an instrument for providing patients with reliable information. This narrative review aimed to identify the current evidence for how effective digital health interventions (DHIs) are in targeting health literacy and related constructs (including knowledge, decision-making and self-efficacy) in arthroplasty.
Methods: Six databases were searched for published studies comprising health literacy and related constructs, arthroplasty, and DHIs. The main outcome measure was health literacy. Two reviewer-authors independently screened studies according to predefined inclusion criteria and performed data extraction. Data was analysed and summarized in tabular and narrative form.
Results: Two thousand seven-hundred and sixty-four titles and abstracts were screened. One hundred and sixty-seven papers underwent full-text analysis. No studies used health literacy as an outcome measure; therefore, the outcome measure was broadened to include its constructs, and the full-text analysis was repeated. Thirteen studies were included. No study following a structured design for their DHI. Eleven studies demonstrated participant improvement in constructs of health literacy, including knowledge, decision-making and self-management.
Conclusion: Current evidence suggests digital technology may provide new means of educating patients and improving aspects of their health literacy. More research digital technology with a structured approach, framework and standardized measures is required. Well-designed digital technology may become a useful adjunct to future patient care.
Keywords: arthroplasty; digital health; digital health intervention; health literacy.
© 2022 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.