Digital Literacy

What is Digital Literacy?

NHS England define digital literacy as, “those capabilities that fit someone for living, learning, working, participating and thriving in a digital society". This wide area is fundamental to delivering safe, effective, and person-centred 21st century care. It is underpinned by getting the right knowledge to the right people at the right time and ensuring the workforce and those in training are skilled , confident and better equipped to work in a digital environment.

Guides to help patients use Online Health Digital Resources

NHS England has created a step-by-step guide to help people understand how the NHS app works: digital.nhs.uk/services/nhs-app/toolkit/step-by-step-guides
NHS England has a set of easy read guides to help people use and access GP online services: england.nhs.uk/publication/gp-online-services-easy-read-guides
Learn My Way - accesing your online health records. A series of elearning units that include topics of registering with a GP, booking a GP appointment online , ordering a repeat subscription online and accesing your online health records: www.learnmyway.com/explore-the-subjects/managing-your-health-online

What is Digital Literacy: Further information and Guides

The BBC’s WebWise is a series of short films introducing topics including using email, using internet and online safety: bbc.co.uk/programmes/p023xv3k
The complete guide to digital skills put together by FutureLearn introduces what digital skills are and why they are important: futurelearn.com/info/blog/the-complete-guide-to-digital-skills

Guides to using online health services

NHS England has created a step-by-step guide to help people understand how the NHS app works: digital.nhs.uk/services/nhs-app/toolkit/step-by-step-guides
NHS England has a set of easy read guides to help people use and access GP online services: england.nhs.uk/publication/gp-online-services-easy-read-guides

Resources for people to improve their own digital literacy skills

Check out our Health Literacy Sessions and our Child Health Collection - signposting you to articles, databases and resources

Resources for healthcare professionals, librarians, and information providers

Libraries Connected offers online learning modules as part of its work on media literacy and digital skills development: lc.learningpool.com/course/index.php?categoryid=29
The Information Literacy Group website supports practitioners and researchers from around the world with an interest in information and digital literacy: infolit.org.uk/
The Department for Education essential digital skills framework defines the digital skills adults need to safely benefit from, participate in and contribute to the digital world. It also includes key statistics on people’s digital skills in the UK: gov.uk/government/publications/essential-digital-skills-framework