Investigation of E-health Literacy Levels of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department Students

Health literacy is generally affected by many factors, from demographic, cultural and psychosocial factors, general literacy level, individual characteristics, experiences related to the disease, and factors related to the healthcare system. It is stated that the evidence supporting the negative effects on the health of individuals is increasing due to the lack of health literacy.

These effects; Low use of preventive healthcare services are shown as delay in seeking health care in the symptomatic period, inability to understand the medical condition of the individual, inability to adhere to medical advice / instructions, insufficient self-care, increase in health care costs and increase in mortality.

In terms of health, health literacy is a stronger determinant than income, employment status, education level, race or ethnic group . The strong place of the concept of health literacy among the main determinants of health appears to be an important factor in the struggle for inequality in health. It is stated that adoption of lifelong learning policies to increase health literacy has important effects .

Since health literacy is directly related to general literacy, studies to be carried out in the field of education can contribute to health literacy and to the improvement of health, thereby reducing health inequalities. It has been determined that the e-health literacy levels of the students studying at Kırıkkale University Faculty of Health Sciences in 2016-2017 differ according to the departments, they are at medium and high levels (average 29.48).

Studies have been suggested to improve the e-health literacy levels of Faculty of Health Sciences students. These recommendations are in line with this study is to determine the students of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department e-health literacy levels in Turkey and will be conducted to determine whether there is effective on the e-health literacy attended class. In case of a difference, secondary goal is to improve the level of health literacy by contributing to undergraduate education.