JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

At the moment, the most validated tool measuring perceived eHealth literacy is eHeals by Norman and Skinner. The tool has been adapted for different diseases and in many languages.

Objective:

This study aims to adapt and validate the tool for carers of people with dementia in Greek language in Greece and Cyprus.

Methods:

The Content Validity of the eHeals-Carer was assessed with an expert panel (N=10). A descriptive study with face to face interviews among 101 primary carers of people with dementia was conducted. In addition to eHeals-Carer for their perceived ehealth literacy, participants responded to a brief questionnaire regarding characteristics of internet use and provided socio-demographic data. The internal consistency of the tool and the construct validity in exploratory factor analysis (EFA) were explored.

Results:

Content validity index in mean item-CVI (Mean I-CVI) and scale level CVI/ average (S-CVI/Ave) was .93. In the survey, the participants were mostly women (75%), below 60 years old (67%) with secondary education. The internal consistency was estimated at α =.83. Two factors were extracted from the EFA, factor 1 “information seeking” questions 1 to 5 and factor 2 “evaluation” questions 6 to 8

Conclusions:

eHeals-Carer is the first perceived eHealth Literacy tool adapted for this specific population of carers of people with dementia. The use of the online services available for carers could facilitate the carers as well as the long term care health system. In Greece and Cyprus, there is lack of services and improving the digital skills of carers could provide them means to support themselves and improve the care provision