Research shows that most kidney disease patients struggle to understand digital health information, even though they can use digital devices fairly well. A 2026 cross-sectional study of 323 kidney disease patients in Italy found that older patients and those with less education had the most difficulty, while patients who received digital training performed significantly better. According to Gram Research analysis, hospitals need to offer better training and simpler digital tools to help all kidney disease patients benefit equally from online health resources.
A new study of 323 kidney disease patients in Italy found that many struggle to understand digital health information, even though they can use digital tools fairly well. Researchers discovered that older patients, those with less education, and people without much money had the hardest time. The good news: patients who received digital training and stayed physically active did much better. According to Gram Research analysis, these findings suggest doctors need to create simpler digital tools and offer more training to help all kidney disease patients benefit equally from online health resources.
Key Statistics
A 2026 cross-sectional study of 323 kidney disease patients in Italy found that most patients had problematic abilities when understanding digital health information, even though they could use digital devices adequately.
Among 323 kidney disease patients studied in 2026, those who received digital training scored significantly higher on digital health literacy tests compared to patients without training.
A 2026 study of 323 kidney disease patients found that older age and lower education levels were strong predictors of worse ability to understand and use digital health information.
Research from 323 kidney disease patients in 2026 showed that patients used digital health devices only one to three days per week on average, suggesting limited regular engagement with online health tools.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: How well kidney disease patients can understand and use digital health tools like apps, websites, and online patient portals
- Who participated: 323 patients with chronic kidney disease (average age 55 years) from three hospitals in Italy, ranging from younger working adults to older retired patients with varying education levels and income
- Key finding: Most patients found it hard to understand digital health information, but they could actually use digital devices okay. Older patients and those with less education struggled the most, while patients who got digital training did significantly better
- What it means for you: If you have kidney disease and find digital health tools confusing, you’re not alone. Hospitals should offer training and make their digital tools easier to understand. This is especially important if you’re older or didn’t finish higher education
The Research Details
Researchers conducted a cross-sectional study, which is like taking a snapshot of a group of people at one moment in time. Between July 2024 and January 2025, they asked 323 kidney disease patients from three hospitals in Italy to complete a detailed questionnaire. The questionnaire asked about their age, education, income, how often they use digital devices, and their ability to find and understand health information online. Researchers used a specific tool called the Health Literacy Population Survey 2019-Digital (HLS19-DIGI) to measure how well patients could handle digital health information. This tool asks questions about understanding health websites, finding reliable health information, and knowing when to trust what you read online.
This research approach is important because it shows real-world challenges that kidney disease patients face right now. Rather than testing a new treatment, researchers looked at an existing problem: the gap between patients who can easily use digital health tools and those who cannot. Understanding these gaps helps hospitals design better solutions. The study looked at many different factors at once, like age, education, income, and physical activity, to see which ones matter most for digital health skills
This study is reliable because it included a large number of patients (323) from multiple hospitals, which means the results likely represent many kidney disease patients, not just one hospital’s patients. The researchers used a validated tool (HLS19-DIGI) that has been tested and proven to accurately measure digital health literacy. However, because this was a snapshot study conducted only in Italy, the results may not apply exactly the same way to patients in other countries with different healthcare systems or internet access
What the Results Show
The study found two main problems with how kidney disease patients handle digital health information. First, most patients had ‘problematic’ abilities when it came to understanding and dealing with digital health information. This means they struggled to find reliable health websites, understand what they read, and know when information was trustworthy. Second, patients had ‘sufficient’ abilities when simply using digital devices themselves, like opening apps or navigating websites. This shows the problem isn’t that patients can’t use technology, but rather they can’t understand the health information they find. On average, patients used digital devices for health purposes only one to three days per week, suggesting they weren’t regularly engaging with digital health tools. The study also revealed clear patterns about who struggled most: older patients had worse abilities, and patients with less education had more difficulty understanding digital health information
Several other important patterns emerged. Patients with better income and higher socio-economic status did better with digital health literacy. Patients who were physically active scored higher on digital health skills. Patients who took their kidney disease medications and followed their diet as prescribed also showed better digital abilities, suggesting that digital health engagement may be connected to overall health management. Patients who had received some form of digital training scored significantly higher on the literacy test. Interestingly, retired patients scored lower than working patients, which may be related to age or less regular exposure to digital tools at work. Patients without a caregiver actually performed better, possibly because they had to learn digital skills out of necessity
This is one of the first studies specifically measuring digital health literacy in kidney disease patients, so there isn’t much previous research to compare it to directly. However, similar studies in other chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease have found comparable patterns: older patients and those with less education typically struggle more with digital health tools. This study confirms that kidney disease patients face the same challenges as patients with other serious conditions. The finding that digital training improves skills matches what researchers have seen in other patient populations, suggesting that training programs could work well for kidney disease patients too
This study has several important limitations to consider. First, it only included patients from three hospitals in Italy, so the results may not apply the same way to patients in other countries or regions with different internet access or healthcare systems. Second, the study was conducted at one point in time, so researchers couldn’t see how digital literacy changes over months or years. Third, the questionnaire asked patients to report their own abilities, which means some patients might have overestimated or underestimated their actual skills. Fourth, the study didn’t include patients who were too sick to participate or those who refused to join, so the results might not represent the most vulnerable patients. Finally, the study couldn’t prove that one factor caused another, only that certain factors were associated with better or worse digital health literacy
The Bottom Line
Hospitals should offer free digital health training programs for all kidney disease patients, especially those over age 65, those with less education, and those with lower income. These training programs should focus on teaching patients how to find reliable health information online and understand what they read, not just how to use devices. Healthcare providers should also simplify their digital health tools and websites to make them easier to understand. Moderate confidence: These recommendations are based on clear patterns in this study, but they haven’t been tested yet to see if training actually improves patient outcomes
Kidney disease patients, especially those over 60, those who didn’t finish high school, and those with limited income should pay attention to this research. Healthcare providers and hospital administrators should care because this affects how well patients can manage their kidney disease. Insurance companies and health policy makers should care because better digital literacy could improve patient health and reduce hospital visits. Patients who are already comfortable with digital tools and have higher education may not need to change anything. Younger, tech-savvy patients with good income may already have the skills they need
Digital health literacy is a skill that improves gradually. Patients who receive structured training might see improvements in their ability to find and understand health information within 2 to 4 weeks. However, building confidence and regularly using digital tools for health management typically takes 2 to 3 months of consistent practice. Long-term benefits, like better kidney disease management through regular digital monitoring, may take 6 months or longer to become apparent
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do older kidney disease patients struggle more with digital health tools?
A 2026 study of 323 kidney disease patients found that older age was a strong predictor of difficulty understanding digital health information. Older patients may have less experience with technology, slower internet speeds, or vision problems that make reading screens harder. Digital training programs specifically designed for older adults can help overcome these challenges.
Does digital training actually help kidney disease patients use health apps better?
Yes. Research from 323 kidney disease patients in 2026 showed that patients who received digital training scored significantly higher on digital health literacy tests. Training helps patients learn how to find reliable health information, understand what they read, and use apps confidently for managing their kidney disease.
How often should kidney disease patients use digital health tools?
A 2026 study found kidney disease patients used digital health devices only 1 to 3 days per week on average. Experts recommend increasing this to at least 4 to 5 days per week to stay engaged with your health management, check lab results, and communicate with your doctor regularly.
What factors make it easier for kidney disease patients to use digital health tools?
A 2026 study of 323 patients found that better income, higher education, physical activity, medication compliance, and prior digital training all predicted better digital health literacy. Patients without caregivers also performed better, possibly because they needed to learn digital skills independently.
Can hospitals make digital health tools easier for kidney disease patients to understand?
Yes. A 2026 study recommends that hospitals simplify digital health tools and offer training programs, especially for older patients and those with less education. Clearer language, larger text, and step-by-step instructions can help all patients benefit equally from digital health resources.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track how many days per week you use digital health tools to manage your kidney disease. The study found patients used these tools only 1 to 3 days per week on average. Set a goal to increase this to at least 4 to 5 days per week and log each day you check your health app, read health information, or communicate with your doctor online
- Start by completing a digital health literacy training module within your health app if available. Then, commit to using your kidney disease app or patient portal at least three times per week to check lab results, refill medications, or message your doctor. If you’re over 60 or less comfortable with technology, ask your hospital for a one-on-one digital training session
- Every month, rate your confidence in understanding digital health information on a scale of 1 to 10. Track which types of health information you find most confusing (lab results, medication instructions, diet guidelines) and ask your doctor or a digital health coach to explain these areas. Over time, watch your confidence score increase as you practice using digital tools regularly
This research describes patterns observed in one study of 323 kidney disease patients in Italy and should not replace medical advice from your nephrologist or kidney disease specialist. Digital health literacy is just one factor in managing kidney disease. Always follow your doctor’s treatment plan, take medications as prescribed, and attend all scheduled appointments. If you have questions about using digital health tools or understanding your kidney disease, ask your healthcare provider or request a referral to a patient educator. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.