Assessing the Digital Health Literacy and Teleradiology Adaptability of Radiologic Technology Students in Decentralized Clinical Deployments
Ma. Victoria Patrimonio, Ahmeda Ali and Mark Alipio
Received: 04 June 2026; Revised: 04 August 2026; Accepted: 17 August 2026; Published: 27 August 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.66074/H8J3D7Y5
Abstract
Background: Digital imaging, PACS, and teleradiology require future radiologic technologists to evaluate digital health information, protect patient data, and function safely in remote imaging workflows. Evidence on these competencies among Philippine radiologic technology students is limited. Objective: To assess digital health literacy and teleradiology adaptability across year levels and test whether digital health literacy predicts adaptability after adjustment for curricular level. Methods: A cross-sectional census included all 80 BS Radiologic Technology students at Iligan Medical Center College from September 2024 to March 2025. Students completed a 15-item Digital Health Literacy Instrument and a 17-item radiology-context adaptation of the Telehealth Competency Questionnaire-Provider. Descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance with Tukey tests, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression were used. Results: Mean digital health literacy was 2.54 (SD 0.65) on a 1 to 4 scale, and mean teleradiology adaptability was 3.12 (SD 0.85) on a 1 to 5 scale. Year-level differences were significant for digital health literacy, F(3, 76) = 10.40, p < .001, eta squared = .29, and adaptability, F(3, 76) = 15.92, p < .001, eta squared = .39. Digital health literacy correlated with adaptability, r = .60, p < .001. Digital health literacy and year level jointly explained 49.1% of adaptability variance. Conclusion: Readiness increased across the curriculum, but troubleshooting remained the weakest adaptability domain. Integrating information appraisal, privacy, PACS concepts, remote-workflow simulation, and supervised teleradiology exposure across the program may strengthen practice readiness.
Keywords: academic persistence, clinical education, diagnostic radiography, student retention
Author Information: Iligan Medical Center College, Philippines; mark.alipio@imcc.edu.ph
Volume 1, Issue 1, September 2026