ABSTRACT:
Digital health literacy (DHL) is increasingly framed as a cornerstone of patient empowerment, informed decision-making, and equitable access to healthcare in digitalized health systems. At the same time, digital environments are saturated with misinformation and disinformation, amplifying risks particularly for populations with lower general literacy. In this context, accurately assessing DHL is not a methodological detail but a prerequisite for effective public health action. Despite this, most studies and interventions rely on self-reported DHL measures, such as eHEALS [1]. However, evidence shows that these instruments capture perceived confidence rather than actual competence. Individuals overestimate their ability to search, evaluate, and apply digital health information [2]. This mismatch has consequences: interventions may target the wrong groups, policies overestimate population readiness, ultimately reinforcing existing health inequalities. This workshop critically examines the limitations of self-assessed DHL measures and argues for a shift toward task-based assessment approaches to evaluate whether individuals can perform essential tasks, such as identifying trustworthy sources, interpreting online health information, or navigating digital health services. Compared to self-reports, they provide a more valid and actionable picture of real-world capabilities, albeit with higher methodological demands. Participants will first receive a structured overview of current DHL assessment approaches, highlighting strengths, weaknesses, and evidence on perception–performance gaps. Building on this foundation, the workshop will engage participants in a guided discussion on the design of a task-based DHL instrument. Key questions include which tasks are most relevant for public health practice, how task difficulty should be calibrated, and how cultural and contextual differences can be accounted for. The workshop concludes with a discussion on validation strategies, cross-cultural applicability, and pathways for integrating such tools into research, practice, and policy. The aim is not only to share methods, but to initiate a collaborative, evidence-based effort to improve how DHL is measured and, ultimately, strengthened.